THE   UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 


"I  give  thtfe  Books 
for  the  founding  of  a  College  in  this  Colony" 


DUPLICATE, ofthe 

John  T,  NortonlXu 


n 


OlTHf 
Of 


A  HISTORY 


OF   THE 


SEVENTY-THIRD  REGIMENT 


OK 


ILLINOIS  INFANTRY  VOLUNTEERS: 


ITS   SERVICES  AND   EXPERIENCES   IN   CAMP,  ON   THE   MARCH,  ON   THE   PICKET 
AND  SKIRMISH    LINES,  AND   IN   MANY  BATTLES   OF  THE  WAR,    1861-65. 

INCLUDING 
A    SKETCH    IN    FULL   OF    THE    VALUABLE    AND    INDISPENSABLE    SERVICES    REN- 

DERED  BY  OPDYCKE'S   FIRST   BRIGADE,  SECOND  DIVISION,    FOURTH 

ARMY  CORPS,   IN  THE  CAMPAIGN  IN  TENNESSEE   IN  THE   FALL 

OF     1864,  "EMBRACING    AN    ACCOUNT    OF    THE    MOVE- 

MENT    FROM    COLUMBIA   TO   NASHVILLE,  AND 


pring  Hill  ant)  jfranhlin. 


INCLUDING     MANY    OTHER     INTERESTING     MISCELLANEOUS     SKETCHES,     THE 

LATTER    BEING   MADE  UP  OF  RECITALS  OF   INDIVIDUAL   EXPERIENCES 

OF  CAPTURE,  IMPRISONMENT,  AND  ESCAPE,  AND  AN  ACCOUNT 

OF  THE  VISIT  OF  JAMES  F.  JAQUESS,  COLONEL  OF  THE 

SEVENTY-THIRD,     TO     RICHMOND,     VIRGINIA, 

IN   THE  SUMMR&  OF    1864. 


PUBLISHED  BY  AUTHORITY  OF  THE 

REGIMENTAL  REUNION  ASSOCIATION  OF  SURVIVORS  OF  THE 
73d  ILLINOIS  INFANTRV  VOLUNTEERS. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1890, 

BY  W.  H.  NEWLIN, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


3*73.4- 


OFFERINGS  OF  THE  PEOPLE  ON  THE  ALTAR  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 


of  qll  who  tost  th.eir  lives  ii^  tXe  service  of  their  country  , 
in  t^e  ^.rnf\tes  of  tt\e  T^nion.,  this  "work,  is 

DEDIGATED 


by 


of 


th,eir  G0R\ra<ies  ar^el.  friers,  i\j\^  to  the 
to  the  1-atest 


In  uuar,  as  in  peace, 
death  the  path  to  gloqy  lies." 


of 


398549 


/        /? 


\  «-^  f  » 


INTRODUCTION. 


A  T  a  meeting  of  the  Regimental  Reunion  Association 
•**•  of  survivors  of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  held  at 
Decatur,  October  8,  1888,  it  was  decided  that  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  three  members  of  the  Association, 
be  appointed  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  regiment.  The 
object  in  view,  at  the  time,  WHS  to  have  such  history 
prepared,  and  have  it  read  to  the  Association  at  its  next 
meeting.  After  consideration  of  the  matter  by  the  As-. 
sociation,  its  President,  Captain  Charles  Tilton,  ap- 
pointed W.  H.  Newlin,  D.  F.  Lawler,  and  J.  W.  Sher- 
rick  as  the  committee  to  prepare  such  history.  This  ac- 
tion, as  ratified  or  aquiesced  in  by  the  Association,  may 
be  said  to  be  the  beginning  or  foundation  of  this  work. 
At  the  same  meeting,  a  committee  consisting  of  W.  H. 
Newlin,  E.  J.  Ingersoll,  J.  L.  Morgan,  and  Gr.  W.  Pat- 
ten, was  appointed  to  collect  evidence  and  prepare  a  re- 
port, or  history,  showing  the  positions  held  and  the  part 
performed  by  the  73d  Illinois,  and  incidentally  by  the 
brigade,  in  the  campaign  in  Tennessee,  in  1864,  from 
Columbia  to  Nashville. 

The  work  of  this  committee,  as  completed  and  shown 
in  full  herein,  seemed  to  strengthen  the  purpose  as  well 
as  justify  the  labor  of  writing  a  full  and  complete  his- 
tory of  the  regiment  from  the  time  of  its  entry  into  serv- 
ice until  its  muster  out.  The  investigation  and  search 
made  by  this  committee,  also  disclosed  the  existence  of 
more  material  out  of  which  to  make  a  history  of  the 

5 


6  TO  SONS  AND  DAUGHTERS  OF  VETERANS. 

regiment,  than  was  before  thought,  or  known,  to  be 
available  for  that  purpose.  The  character  and  relia- 
bility of  the  material,  as  well  as  the  amount,  seemed  to 
warrant  the  preparation  of  a  history  for  publication. 
The  facts,  the  data,  and  all  the  circumstances  connected 
in  and  about  the  service  and  record  of  the  regiment,  if 
rightly  used,  put  in  proper  shape,  can  be  made  to  pos- 
sess an  attraction  for  the  general  reader.  This  was  the 
thought  and  impression  in  the  minds  of  many  members 
of  the  Regimental  Association ;  and  many  members, 
nearly  all,  favored  the  publication.  It  is  assumed  that 
every  survivor  of  the  regiment  will  become  possessor  of 
one  or  more  copies  us  soon  as  he  learns  the  work  is 
complete.  Representatives  or  descendants  of  those 
members  of  the  regiment  who  were  killed,  or  who  died 
during  the  service  or  since,  will  likewise  manifest  an  in- 
terest in  the  work. 

Surviving  comrades  of  those  regiments  that  were  at 
some  time  in  the  same  brigade  with  the  73d,  will,  as  a 
rule,  and  as  opportunity  offers,  become  patrons  of  this 
effort  to  depict  common  trials  and  dangers.  Neither  of 
the  classes  we  have  just  enumerated  will  we  denomi- 
nate as  the  "  general  reader,"  or  as  belonging  to  that 
class,  though  of  course,  some  of  them  may ;  but  we  will 
consider  them  our  especial  friends,  and  of  the  number 
on  whom  we  shall  depend.  And  as  furnishing  a  contri- 
bution to  history,  giving  some  of  the  details  and  minu- 
tiae of  the  contest,  we  shall  surely  be  able  to  gain  some 
appreciation  at  the  hands  of  the  general  public.  Will 
not  the  present  and  the  oncoming  generation,  the  youth 
and  middle-aged  of  to-day  and  to-morrow,  those  who  are 
now  reaping  and  enjoying,  and  those  who  will  reap  and 
enjoy,  the  benefits  and  blessings  purchased  by  the  serv- 


SERVICES  OF  REGIMfWT  OUTLINED.  1 

ices  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldiery  of  the  war,  appreciate 
and  remunerate  our  labors  as  here  culminated? 

We  apprehend  they  will,  if  the  result  of  our  labors 
shall  appear  in  attractive  and  entertaining  style,  and 
tell  a  plain  and  simple  story  in  becoming  language. 
The  reader,  of  whatever  class,  when  once  started  in 
tracing  our  history  as  an  organization,  will  have  curi- 
osity, if  not  interest  enough,  to  continue  to  the  end  of 
the  last  chapter. 

It  has  been  our  desire,  and  effort  as  well,  to  beget 
and  constantly  maintain  an  interest,  on  the  part  of  the 
reader,  in  the  narrative  from  beginning  to  end. 

That  portion  of  this  work  which  deals  with  the  or- 
ganization of  the  regiment  and  its  earlier  experiences, 
and  the  events  occurring  while  on  the  way  to  the  thea- 
ter of  war  before  the  first  battle,  though  prepared  with 
great  care,  will  not,  perhaps",  prove  as  entertaining  as 
will  some  other  portions  which  chronicle  more  stirring 
events.  After  we  commence  active  operations  and  get 
down  to  business,  as  we  begin  to  snuff  the  smoke  and 
smell  the  powder  of  battle,  the  interest  will  awaken ; 
and  as  we  perform  our  part  at  Perry  ville  or  Chaplain 
Hills,  our  initial  struggle,  and  leave  that  field  and  pro- 
ceed, after  a  quiet  interval,  to  Murfreesboro,  and  the 
strife  amid  the  cedar  jungles  and  breaks  of  Stone  River, 
the  interest  will  not  lag  or  diminish.  Then,  after  a  sea- 
son of  delay  and  comparative  repose,  when  offensive 
movements  are  resumed,  the  interest  will  be  maintained 
as  we  move  on  and  count  off  Fairfield,  Manchester,  Es- 
till's  Springs,  Elk  River,  Winchester,  Cowan's  Station, 
Stevenson,  Bridgeport,  the  Tennessee  River,  Sand 
Mountain,  Trenton,  and  Alpine,  and  take  up  our  weary 
march  through  cove  and  gap,  and  along  mountain  side 


8  BUSINESS  BRISK  ALL  SUMMER  AND  FALL. 

and  top,  to  Chickamauga's  bloody  field.  The  interest 
will  have  grown,  and  sympathy  added,  by  the  time  we 
get  that  dreadful  strain  behind  us.  Then  comes  the 
falling  back  to  Chattanooga — the  picket,  forage,  and  fa- 
tigue duty,  and  the  siege ;  scant  fare  for  man  and 
beast;  then  the  battle  and  the  victory  at  Missionary 
Ridge  ;  the  winter  campaign  and  slavish  march  to  Knox- 
ville  and  Dandridge  ;  the  return,  and  preparation  for  the 
great  summer  campaign  to  Atlanta,  in  which  long  list 
of  engagements  the  73d  scored  the  following  :  Rocky 
Faced  Ridge,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Dallas,  New  Hope 
Church,  Pine  Mountain,  Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain, Marietta,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy's  Station;  then  a  brief  respite,  and  the  return 
to  Chattanooga,  and  the  fall  campaign  in  the  heart  of 
Tennessee,  in  which  was  put  at  stake  all  that  had  been 
gained  in  our  previous  contests.  Through  all,  the  reader 
will  not  fail  to  follow  us,  and  the  interest  will  continue 
and  increase  as  we  make  our  reconnoissances  and  rapid 
marches,  and  approach  and  pass  through  the  skirmishes 
at  Columbia  and  Duck  River,  the  skirmishes  at  Spring 
Hill,  and  from  thence  to  Franklin ;  and  then  the  loosened 
fury,  the  seething  hot  and  red  holocaust,  of  the  battle 
at  the  latter  place.  Then,  a  little  later,  occur  the  bat- 
tles of  Nashville,  and,  for  us,  the  combat  ceases.  Pur- 
suit of  the  flying  enemy;  camp-life;  movement  from 
point  to  point;  the  muster  out;  the  return  to  Illinois; 
the  final  payment  and  disbandment,  close  the  ihree 
years'  experience;  and  the  curtain  drops.  xWe  are 
again — some  of  us — in  civil  life. 

There  were  many  difficulties  encountered  by  the 
committee  in  prosecuting  the  search  for  facts  and  de- 
tails, while  preparing  this  history,  though  all  who  could 


EXPRESSION  OF  THANKS  AND  BEST  WISHES.  9 

do  so  were  willing  to  assist,  and  many  have  aided  aud 
encouraged  the  committee  in  its  work.  There  are  im- 
perfections in  the  work,  and  some  errors  perhaps,  but 
no  wrong  or  injustice  is  intended.  For  all  data  and 
memoranda  furnished,  whether  used  or  not,  the  thanks 
of  the  committee  are  hereby  tendered.  With  earnest 
wisnes  for  the  well-being,  both  here  and  hereafter,  of 
all  who  read  this  book,  as  well  as  of  all  who  participated 
in  the  services  here  recorded  or  in  the  like  services,  we 
close. 

THE  COMMITTEE. 

W.  H.  NEWLIN, 
D.  F.  LAWLER, 
J.  W.  SHERRICK. 


W.   H.   NEWLIN. 

CHAIRMAN    OF   THE   COMM1TTKK. 


1).    V.    LAWI.KK.  J.    W.    SHERRICK. 

COMMITTEE  ON  REGIMENTAL  HISTORY. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  Companies — Counties  raised  in — Camp  Bntler — Organization  of  the 
Regiment — Other  History — Preacher  Regiment — The  Muster-in — 
Roster  of  Field  and  Staff  Officers — Roster  by  Companies — Duty  at 
Camp  Butler — The  Confederate  Prisoners  there— Bounty— Prepa- 
ration to  leave  for  the  Front — Incidents, PAGE  17 

CHAPTER  II. 

Leave  Camp  Butler — Journey  by  Rail — Pass  Fairmount  and  Danville — 
Lafayette  Junction — Thence  to  Indianapolis — ''What  Regiment  is 
that?" — Jefferson  ville — Cross  the  Ohio— Arrive  at  Louisville — First 
Experiences  in  Kentucky — First  Camp — First  Duties — Arms  issued — 
Leave  Camp  Jaquess — Camp  Yates — Brigade  Formation — Regiments 
Brigaded  with — The  Inspection— The  March  toward  Richmond, 
Kentucky — Meeting  the  Retreating  Forces — Return  to  Camp — 
March  to  Louisville — Cross  to  Jeffersonville — By  Rail  to  Seymour, 
Indiana — Thence  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio — Cross  River  to  Covington, 
Kentucky — Duty  at  Covington — Return  to  Louisville  by  Rail  via  In- 
dianapolis and  Jeffersonville — Buell's  Army — Reorganization — Regi- 
ments Brigaded  with — Health  and  Condition — Incidents,  .  PAGE,  74 

CHAPTER  III. 

Forward  Movement— Marching,  Foraging,  and  Straggling — Coming  up 
with  Enemy — Before  the  Battle — The  Battle  of  Perryville — After 
the  Battle — March  to  Crab  Orchard — Delay — Speculation— Leave 
Crab  Orchard — March  to  Danville,  Lebanon,  and  Bowling  Green — 
The  March  to  Mitchellsville  and  Nashville — Incidents  of  the  March — 
Camp  Life  and  Duty  at  Edgefield — Mill  Creek — Health  of  the  Regi- 
ment— Christmas — Experience  and  Reflections — Movement  on  Mur- 
freesboro — The  Shelter,  or  "  Purp  Tents" — Nearing  the  Battle- 
field— Battle  of  Stone  River— Conduct  of  the'  Regiment — Casual- 
ties,   PAGE  95 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  New  Year — Entry  into  Murfreesboro — Camp  Bradley — Picket  and 
Forage  Duty — Change  of  Camp— Camp  Schafer — Five  Days'  Picket — 
Roll  of  Honor — Grape-vine  Dispatch — Incidents — Forward  Move- 
ment— Skirmish  at  Fairfield — Rain  and  Mud — March  to  Man- 
chester— Crossing  Elk  River — Pass  Winchester — Delay  and  Camp- 
life  at  Cowan  Station — Good  News — Cumberland  Tunnel — Move  to 

11 


12  CONTESTS. 

.Stevenson — Incidents — Movement  to  Bridgeport — Across  the  Ten- 
nessee River— Go  over  Sand  Mountain — The  Flanking  Movement — 
Lookout  Valley — McLemore's  Cove — Return  of  Colonel  Jaquess, 
after  his  Failure  to  visit  Richmond,  Virginia — Hurried  Marching — 
Join  the  Left  Wing  of  the  Army  before  Chickamauga — Operations 
and  Incidents — Before  the  Battle — The  Battle— After  the  Battle — 
The  Losses — At  Chattanooga — The  Siege — Experiences  and  Inci- 
dents— Reopening  of  the  Cracker  Line — Re-enforcements — Prepara- 
tions for  Battle — Missionary  Ridge — March  to  Relief  of  Knoxville — 
Winter  Quarters— East  Tennessee, PAGE  141 

CHAPTER  V. 

New  Year — Experience,  Incidents,  and  Surroundings  in  East  Ten- 
nessee— Preliminary  Movement — At  Cleveland — Forward  Move- 
ment— Atlanta  'Campaign  opens — Catoosa  Springs — Rocky-faced 
Ridge  and  Dalton — Engagement  at  Resaca — Adairsville — Halt  at 
Kingston — Burnt  Hickory — Dallas — New  Hope  Church — Pine  Moun- 
tain— Lost  Mountain — Assault  on  Kenesaw  Mountain — Skirmish- 
ing about  Marietta — Expedition  to  Rosvvell— Cross  the  Chatta- 
hoochie — Nance's  Creek — Peach  Tree  Creek — Battle — Investment 
of  Atlanta — Destroying  Railroad — Jonesboro — Fall  of  Atlanta — Ad- 
vance to  Lovejoy's  Station — Enter  Atlanta — Camp  there — Rest 
Brief — By  Rail  to  Chattanooga — March  to  Alpine — Return  via  Chick- 
amauga to  Chattanooga — By  Rail  to  Huntsville — Race  with  Hood's 
Army — Incidents — Reach  Columbia, PAGE  282 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Skirmishes  at  Columbia — Reconnoissance  in  Force — Picket  and  Fatigue 
Duty — Cross  Duck  River — Retreat  on  Spring  Hill — Evidence  and 
Discussion  as  to  what  Command  held  the  Advance— Fight  at  Spring 
Hill — On  Picket  in  Face  of  the  Jubilant  Enemy — Evidence  and 
Discussion  as  to  what  Command  covered  the  Retreat  to  Franklin — 
Battle  of  Franklin — Extract  from  Greeley's  American  Conflict — Ac- 
count of  Battle  by  Confederate  Private  Soldier — Selection  from 
Schmucker's  History — Rev.  H.  M.  Bacon  and  Colonel  Henry  Stone 
on  the  Part  performed  by  Opdyke's  Brigade  at  the  Battle  of 
Franklin — Retreat  to  Nashville — Other  Selections — Congratulatory 
Order,  .  .  , • PAGE  408 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Recuperate  at  Nashville — Duty  there — Preparations  for  the  Offensive — 
Battles  of  Nashville — Rout  of  Hood's  Army — The  Pursuit — March 
to  Franklin — Appearance  of  the  Battle-field — The  March  via  Spring 
Hill,  Columbia,  Linnville,  Pulaski,  Athens,  and  Lexington  to  Hunts- 
ville— Winter  Quarters— "Camp  Life  and  Duty — By  Rail  to  Knox- 
ville— From  thence  to  Blue  Springs — Lee's  Surrender — End  of  the 
War — Assassination  of  Lincoln — Return  via  Chattanooga  to  Nash- 


CONTENTS.  13 

ville — Camp  Life  and  Duty  there— Muster  out — The  Missing  Com- 
rades— Return  to  Camp  Butler— Final  Payment — Disbandment — 
Return  Home, PAGE  484 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Colonel  Jaquess's  Visit  to  Richmond,  Va. — His  Interview  with  Jeff 
Davis — Selection  from  the  "  American  Conflict " — Further  Particu- 
lars of  the  Visit — Its  Object  and  Possible  Beneficent  Result — Selec- 
tions from  Doctor  Eddy's  "  Patriotism  of  Illinois,"  and  from  J.  R. 
,  Gilmore's  Account — Biographical  Sketch  of  Colonel  Jaquess — His 
Address  at  Fairmount,  October,  9,  1889, PAGE  534 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Personal  Reminiscences — Experience  of  Lieutenant  W.  R.  Lawrence  as 
a  Prisoner  of  War  in  1863 — William  Cammire's  Experience  escap- 
ing Prison — Escape  of  Riley  M.  Hoskinson  and  Son  from  the  En- 
emy at  Chickamauga — Roll  of  Names  of  Soldiers  of  the  73d  Illinois 
who  were  Prisoners  of  War — Version  of  the  Origin  of  the  term 
Bummer,  as  used  in  the  Army — John  L.  Hesser,  Prisoner  of  War — 
Escape  of  W.  H.  Newlin  from  Prison — Reminiscence  of  1860 — March 
of  the  Convalescents  to  Knoxville,  December,  1863 — Experience  of 
the  Recruits  transferred  to  the  44th  Illinois — Forage  Trip — Edward 
Penstone's  Experience — Other  History,  .  .  . PAGE  563 

CHAPTER  X. 

Sketch  of  the  Regiment,  as  appears  in  the  Original  Reports  of  the  Ad- 
jutant-General of  the  State  of  Illinois — Sketch  of  the  Regiment, 
as  appears  in  the  Revised  Reports  of  the  Adjutant  General — 
Wounded— Benediction  -The  End, PAGE  668 

ADDENDA, PA<;E  t>S2 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 
UPRISING  OF  THE  PEOPLE, 3 

MARCHING  TO  MEET  THE  ENEMY, 16 

PONTOON-  BRIDGE,  CINCINNATI,  OHIO,  . 83 

SHOOTING  OF  GENERAL  NELSON  BY  GENERAL  DAVIS, 86 

JACK'S  TROUBLE  WITH  THE  MULE, 94 

CAPITOL  BUILDING,  NASHVILLE,  TENNESSEE, 116 

SUPPORTING  SKIRMISHERS, 224 

PLANTING  THE  FLAG  ON  MISSIONARY  RIDGE, 266 

FORTY-TWO  STAR  FLAG, 281 

BATTLE-GROUND  AT  FRANKLIN,  TENNESSEE, 422 

BATTLE-FIELD,  COTTON  GIN,  FRANKLIN,  TENNESSEE, 443 

ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN, 513 


PORTRAITS. 

COLONEL  JAMES  F.  JAQUESS, Frontispiece. 

W.  H.  NEWLIN,   ")  PAGE. 

D.  F.  LAWLER,      /-Committee  on  Regimental  History, 10 

J.  W.  SHERRICK,  ) 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 19 

GENERAL  PHIL.  H.  SHERIDAN, 102 

GENERAL  ALEX.  McD.  McCooK, 128 

SERGEANT-MAJOR  H.  A.  CASTLE, 130 

ORDERLY  SERGEANT  D.  A.  SMITH,  COMPANY  C, 226 

GENERAL  WILLIAM  S.  ROSECRANS,    . 256 

CAPTAIN  TILMON  D.  KYGER, 258 

SAM.  B.  GARVER,  COMPANY  D, 296 

GENERAL  WILLIAM  T.  SHERMAN, 358 

CAPTAIN  G.  W.  PATTEN, 455 

GENERAL  GEORGE  H.  THOMAS, 486 

MAJOR  WILSON  BURROUGHS,   .   . 531 

LIEUTENANT  W.  H.  NKWLIN, 624 


BRIGADE  FORMATION. 


THE  first  brigade  the  73d  was  in,  embraced  three 
other  regiments,  viz.:  the  100th  Illinois,  and  the 
79th  and  88th  Indiana,  commanded  by  E.  N.  Kirk, 
colonel  of  the  34th  Illinois. 

The  second  brigade  organization  which  included  the 
73d.  also  included  the  44th  Illinois  and  the  2d  and 
15lh  Missouri  Regiments,  commanded  by  Colonel  Lai- 
boldt  and  Colonel  Schaefer. 

For  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  remainder  of  its  term  of 
service,  the  73d  was  associated  in  brigade  organization 
with  six  other  regiments,  viz. :  the  36th,  44th,  74th, 
and  88th  Illinois,  the  24th  Wisconsin,  and  the  125th 
Ohio,  commanded  by  Colonel  Frank  Sherman,  General 
Nathan  Kimball,  and  Colonel  (Brevet  Brigadier-General) 
Emerson  Opdycke. 

There  was  a  brigade  formed  a  short  time  before  the 
battle  of  Missionary  Ridge — when  the  army  was  re- 
organized— that  embraced  all  the  regiments  included  in 
the  two  last  brigade  organizations  above,  except  the 
125th  Ohio.  It  included  nine  regiments,  the  22nd 
Indiana  being  one  of  the  nine;  but  that  regiment  was 
soon  sent  elsewhere.  In  the  course  of  time,  the  2d 
and  15th  Missouri  Regiments  dropped  out,  and  the  125th 
Ohio  came  in,  leaving  the  seven  regiments  as  last  above 
named.  The  21st  Michigan  was  for  a  short  time  in 
our  brigade. 


MARCHING  TO  MEET  THE  ENEMY. 


A  HISTORY 


OF   THE 


SEVENTY-THIRD  REGIMENT 


OF 


ILLINOIS  INFANTRY  VOLUNTEERS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PRELIMINARY  REMARKS — RENDEZVOUS ORGANIZATION   OF    "THE 

PREACHER    REGIMENT" — COMPLETE    ROSTER — DUTY,    EXPERI- 
ENCE,   AND   INCIDENTS   AT   CAMP   BUTLER. 

THE  call  of  President  Abraham  Lincoln  for  three 
hundred  thousand  volunteers,  dated  July  6,  1862,  was 
the  "  bugle-note  "  that  summoned  the  men — and  boys — 
of  the  73d  to  the  field.  Almost  immediately  steps  were 
taken  to  secure  enlistments  in  the  several  companies. 
The  regiment,  as  organized,  was  credited  to  the  State 
at  large.  The  reason  for  this  was,  probably,  the  fact 
that  so  many  counties  were  represented  in  it.  With 
two  exceptions,  no  county  furnished  more  than  one  com- 
pany ;  and  in  some  of  the  companies  more  than  two 
counties  were  represented.  There  were  ten  companies 
in  the  regiment,  representing  not  less  than  ten  coun- 
ties; each  of  at  least  ten  counties  being  represented 
in  the  regiment  by  a  full  company,  or  a  considerable 
fraction  thereof;  while  two  or  three,  or  more,  counties 
were  represented  by  smaller  squads  and  individual 
members. 

Company  A  was  raised  in  Sangamon  County,  though 

2  17 


18  COUNTIES  WE  "HAILED"  FROM. 

Coles,  Christian,  and  Tazewell  Counties  each  had  one 
or  more  representatives  in  it. 

Company  B  was  raised  principally  in  Tazewell 
County,  though  Fulton,  Henry,  Mason,  Memird,  Mont- 
gomery, Sangamon,  and  Shelby  Counties  each  had  one 
or  more  representatives  in  it. 

Company  C  was  raised  in  Vermilion  County,  Edgar 
and  Ford  Counties  each  being  credited  with  one  man. 

Company  D  was  raised  in  Piatt  County,  one  recruit 
being  from  Tazewell. 

Company  E  was  raised  in  Vermilion  County,  Cham- 
paign County  being  credited  with  three  men. 

Company  F  was  raised  principally  in  Logan  County. 
Menard,  Sangamon,  and  Woodford  Counties  each  being 
represented. 

Company  G  was  raised  principally  in  Schuyler  and 
Jackson  Counties,  with  representatives  in  the  Company 
from  Adams,  Brown,  McDonough,  Stephenson,  and  San- 
gamon Counties. 

Company  H  was  raised  principally  in  Adams  and 
Pike  Counties,  though  Brown,  Hancock,  and  Sangamon 
Counties  were  represented  in  it. 

Company  I  was  raised  principally  in  Sangamon 
County,  with  additions  to  it  from  the  counties  of  Adams, 
Montgomery,  Macoupin,  Jackson,  Gallatin,  and  Saline. 

Company  K  was  raised  in  the  counties  of  Jackson 
and  Saline,  with  some  two  or  more  men  from  each  of  the 
counties  of  Franklin,  Gallatin,  Williamson,  and  Perry. 

Some  twelve  or  fifteen  counties  had  quite  a  respect- 
able representation  in  the  regiment,  Sangamon  and  Ver- 
milion Counties  having  the  largest ;  while  nearly  or 
quite  as  many  more  counties  were  represented  by 
smaller  squads  and  individual  members. 


CREDITED  TO  STA  TE—EXPLANA  TION.  1 9 

So  many  counties  being  represented  in  the  73d, 
justly  entitled  it  to  the  distinction  of  being  credited 
to  the  State  at  large.  The  complete  roster  of  the  regi- 
ment, which  appears  herein,  shows  more  particularly 
the  several  localities  in  the  State  that  contributed  to 
its  ranks.  How  came  it  that  a  territory  so  great  in 
extent,  or  localities  so  far  apart,  were  drawn  upon  for 


ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

material  for  this  regiment,  when  several  other  regi- 
ments were  being  raised  at  the  same  time  ?  We  do 
not  assume  to  be  able  to  give  the  true  answer  to  this 
question ;  but  will  venture  two  or  three  possible  rea- 
sons, or  explanations,  which  may  sufficiently  answer  it. 
Within  one  week  from  the  date  of  the  call  for  three 
hundred  thousand  men,  the  active  work  of  securing 


20         THE  PREACHER  REGIMENT. 

enlistments  and  raising  companies  began.  On  the  part 
of  many  volunteers  or  squads  and  companies  of  such, 
there  was,  doubtless,  an  ambition,  or  desire  at  least, 
to  get  into  the  first,  or  one  of  the  first,  regiments  or- 
ganized in  the  State  under  that  call.  This  may  have 
been  one  reason  ;  but  another  and  more  probable  ex- 
planation may  be  found  in  the  following  statement,  viz. : 
James  F.  Jaquess,  late  chaplain  of  the  6th  Illinois 
Cavalry,  was  authorized  by  Governor  Richard  Yates, 
early  in  June,  1862,  to  raise  a  regiment  of  infantry  vol- 
unteers. By  reason  of  his  connection  with  the  Illinois 
Methodist  Episcopal  Conference,  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  and  later  as  president  of  the  Illinois  Female 
College  at  Jacksonville,  which  was  under  the  super- 
vision and  patronage  of  the  Conference,  Rev.  Jaquess 
had  become  widely  and  favorably  known  in  the  central 
portions  of  Illinois. 

In  many,  if  not  most,  of  the  neighborhoods  and 
localities  from  which  the  73d  was  recruited,  the  solicita- 
tions and  appeals,  the  "  drumming  up  "  for  volunteers, 
were  made  and  participated  in  by  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, either  in  the  regular  or  local  work.  This  fact  may 
have  been  due,  in  some  instances,  to  Colonel  Jaquess's 
influence,  remotely  if  not  directly.  At  any  rate,  when 
the  several  companies  and  fractions  thereof  reached 
Camp  Butler,  they,  and  the  "  preachers  in  charge," 
easily  and  naturally  drifted  into  Colonel  Jaquess's 
"Preacher  Regiment,"  the  73d  Illinois.* 

*More  companies  and  squads  wanted  to  join  the  73d  than 
could  be  accommodated.  An  "overflow  meeting"  had  to  be  started, 
and,  as  a  result  of  this,  two  more  regiments — the  115th  and  the  117th — 
were  formed.  Rev.  Jesse  H.  Moore  was  the  colonel  of  the  115th.  At 
one  time  the  project  of  a  Preacher  Brigade  was  broached ;  but,  for 
want  of  time,  and  for  other  reasons,  the  matter  was  dropped. 


PRIORITY  OF  MUSTER-IN.  21 

Another  fact  is  probably  also  accounted  for  in  the 
foregoing  statement,  which  is  that  the  large  majority  of 
the  men  of  which  the  regiment  was- composed  were 
young  men — boys  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and 
twenty-five  years — and  came,  in  large  measure,  from 
the  educational,  school,  and  Church  walks  of  life.  We 
do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  intimating  that  the 
farm,  and  shop,  and  business  generally  were  not  rep- 
resented in  the  regiment;  for  these  were  largely  rep- 
resented in  it. 

Enlistments  in  the  several  companies  dated  from 
July  12  to  August  17, 1862,  as  a  rule;  the  exceptions 
being  mostly  in  cases  of  recruits  sent  to  the  regiment 
in  the  field.  The  dates  of  the  reporting  of  the  several 
companies,  and  parts  of  companies,  at  Camp  Butler, 
varied  from  about  July  24  to  about  August  18,  1862. 

By  the  latter  date,  all  the  companies,  excepting  Com- 
pany E,  had  the  number  of  men  necessary  to  entitle  them 
to  muster  in,  while  some  of  the  companies  had  more. 

To  expedite  matters,  hasten  the  muster-in  of  the 
regiment,  an  arrangement  was  effected  whereby  Com- 
pany C,  from  Vermilion  County,  "  loaned  "  to  Company 
E,  also  from  Vermilion,  some  fourteen  men.  This  en- 
titled the  regiment  to  muster-in,  the  companies  having 
an  average  of  more  than  eighty-five  men.  Accordingly, 
on  the  21st  day  of  August,  1862,  the  73d  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers was  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States  for  the  period  of  three  years,  by  Captain  Ewing, 
of  the  13th  United  States  Infantry.  The  roster  of  the 
72d  Illinois,  as  it  appears  in  the  revised  reports  of  the 
adjutant-general  of  the  State,  shows  that  regiment  as 
having  been  mustered  into  service  August  21st,  the  same 
day  that  the  73d  was  mustered  in,  while  the  historical 


22  AN  ACC USA TION  DENIED— PREPARA  TION. 

sketch  of  the  regiment  distinctly  states,  it  was  mustered 
into  service  August  23d,  and  started  the  very  same  day 
for  Cairo,  where  it  arrived  on  the  24th.  If  the  roster 
be  correct  as  to  date  of  the  muster-in,  then  the  73d  has 
equal  claim  with  the  72d  to  being  the  first  regiment 
mustered  into  the  United  States  service  from  the  State 
of  Illinois,  for  the  term  of  three  years,  in  the  year 
1862 ;  and,  if  the  historical  sketch  be  correct,  then  the 
73d  has  superior  claim  to  that  honor.  The  71st  Illinois 
was  the  last  three-months  regiment,  and  the  74th  Illinois 
was  not  mustered  into  service  until  September  4,  1862. 

At  Bloomington,  Illinois,  recently,  we  met  a  com- 
rade who  had  served  in  the  114th  Illinois.  On  finding 
we  had  served  in  the  73d,  he  said  :  "And  your  regi- 
ment stole  our  number ;  we  were  to  have  had  the  num- 
ber you  got."  We  replied  that  we  did  n't  know  so  well 
about  that.  We  admitted  that  our  regiment  might 
have  "foraged"  or  "flanked"  his  regiment  out  of  the 
number  it  expected.  We  hardly  think  the  "Preacher 
Regiment"  ever  stole  anything;  that  is,  until  after  it 
was  numbered. 

The  fond,  reluctant  farewells  having  been  spoken, 
the  last  glances  having  been  taken,  and  the  sad  sep- 
arations from  familiar  scenes  and  hearth-stones  having 
been  effected,  the  men  of  the  several  companies  which 
were  included  in  the  73d  were  organized,  drilled,  and 
disciplined,  preparatory  to  admission  into  the  service 
of  the  General  Government.  In  addition  to  becoming 
accustomed  to  camp  life  and  fare,  becoming  inured  to 
the  use  of  "  army  rations,"  the  regiment,  or  details 
from  the  companies  which,  later  on,  composed  it,  did 
duty  daily  in  guarding  Confederate  prisoners,  of  whom 
there  were  some  two  or  three  thousand  at  Camp  Butler 


EXPLANATORY  OF  ROSTER.  23 

at  the  time.  This  duty,  and  camp-guard  and  fatigue 
duty  and  squad  and  company  drill,  occupied  the  time  up 
to  about  August  20th.  On  and  before  this  date,  the  last 
proceeding,  prior  to  the  muster-in,  was  had — the  exam- 
ination of  the  men  by  the  medical  authorities.  This 
examination  was,  to  all  appearances  at  least,  conducted 
in  a  thorough  manner,  though  but  very  few  of  the  men 
were  pronounced  unfit  for  army  service.  There  were  a 
few  men,  we  remember,  who  were  doubtful,  as  were 
also  their  messmates,  as  to  whether  or  not  they  would 
pass  this  medical  examination.  Some  of  these,  on  being 
pronounced  fit  for  service,  were  very  well  pleased. 

As  many  in  the  volunteers  of  the  73d  lived  near 
their  county  boundary  lines — their  homes  in  one  county 
and  their  post-offices  in  another — it  is  quite  probable 
that  a  few  counties  are  credited  herein  with  men  they 
did  not  furnish.  In  the  roster,  under  the  head  of  "Res- 
idence," the  name  of  the  post-office  is  frequently  given 
instead  of  the  name  of  the  county  in  which  the  resi- 
dence was  located.  In  ascertaining  the  names  and 
number  of  the  counties  that  furnished  volunteers  to  the 
73d,  we  looked  to  see  what  counties  certain  towns  and 
post-offices  were  in,  thus  including  in  the  list,  no  doubt, 
a  few  more  counties  than  we  should.  All  errors  of  this 
kind  corrected,  it  would  still  appear  that  very  many 
good  counties  were  represented  in  a  very  good  regiment 
by  very  good  men. 

On  August  21,  1862,  as  before  stated,  the  regiment 
was  formally  mustered  into  the  United  States  service. 
The  complete  roster  of  the  field  and  staff,  commissioned 
and  non-commissioned,  and  of  the  several  companies, 
both  commissioned  and  non-commissioned,  including  re- 
cruits, as  shown  on  the  rolls  of  the  73d,  is  as  follows  : 


24 


ROSTER— SAME  AS  IN  ILLINOIS  REPORTS. 


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Bostwick,  John  :  . 
Blackburn,  Sam'l  V 

Cook,  Charles  W.  . 

Cook,  William  R.  . 
Hollingsworth,  Geo, 
Maudlin,  James  T.  . 
Miley,  George  .  .  . 

Moore,  James  E.  . 

Purdum,  Benjamin 
Thornton,  Isaac  R.  . 
Thornton,  Merida  . 
Willison,  Aaron  .  . 

CAPTAINS. 

Thomas  Motherspa\ 
Jonas  Jones  .  .  .  . 

FIRST  LIEUTENA1S 

Jonas  Jones  .  .  .  . 
Henry  A.  Bodman  . 
Harrison  M.  Alvorc 

SECOND  LIEUTENA 

Reuben  B.  Wincheg 
Henry  A.  Bodman  . 

FIRST  SERGEAN 

Henry  A.  Bodman  . 

40 


THE  PI  ATT  COUNTY  COMPANY. 


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son  Burroughs  .... 
rles  Tilton  

FIRST  LIEUTENANTS. 

rles  Tilton  
ph  M.  Dougherty  .  . 

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MEN  ACCOUNTED  FOR.  67 

In  this  roster  are,  no  doubt,  a  number  classed  as 
recruits  who  were  on  hand,  ready  for  muster,  August 
21,  1862;  but— as  in  the  case  of  W.  H.  Bullard,  Com- 
pany A — being  minors,  and  without  a  permit  to  join 
the  army,  signed  by  parent  or  guardian,  could  not  be 
mustered.  Bullard  enlisted  August  4,  1862,  was  made 
corporal,  but  being  without  permit  at  time  of  muster-in 
of  regiment,  his  muster  into  service  did  not  take  place 
until  after  he  obtained  permit,  which  was  on  August 
22d,  he  being  mustered  in  the  evening  of  that  day. 
Some  of  these  so-called  recruits  were  in  at  the  begin- 
ning and  remained  to  the  end,  as  did  Bullard. 

The  foregoing  roster  is  the  same  as  that  found  in 
Volume  IV  of  the  Revised  Reports  of  the  adjutant-gen- 
eral of  the  State  of*  Illinois. 

The   total   number  of  men,   including  officers  and  recruits, 
mustered  into  the  73d  Regiment  of  Illinois  Infantry  Vol- 
unters,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  its  service,  was, 
according  to  careful  count,          .....         972 

Killed  in  battle,  .  ....        53 

Died  of  wounds,       .         .         ...         .         .  45 

Died  of  disease,  .         .  .         .         .         .     102 

Died  in  prison,         .         .         ...         .         .  16 

Discharged  on  account  of  wounds,        ....       36 

Discharged  on  account  of  disability,         .         .         .  146 

Transferred,  and  promoted,  to  other  branches  of  service,  129 

Resigned  service, 29 

Dismissed,      ........  1 

Dishonorably  discharged,    ......  1 

Deserted.        ........  31 

Unaccounted  for,        .         ....         ...         6 

Missing,  and  supposed  killed,          .....       4 

Mustered  out  at  close  of  war,     .....        373 

079 

£f  9  & 

The  foregoing  table  would,  perhaps,  more  properly 
come  in  at  the  close  of  this  history.  We  prefer  to  give 
it  in  connection  with  the  roster,  for  convenience  in  case 
of  verification.  The  roster  discloses  the  fact  that 


68  INCIDENT  AT  CAMP  BUTLER. 

Company  K  furnished  a  few  men  to  Company  I,  to 
make  up  to  the  latter  company  the  number  requisite  to 
entitle  it  to  muster-in. 

After  the  muster-in  of  the  regiment,  its  stay  at 
Camp  Butler  was  brief.  We  will  close  this  chapter  by 
recording  a  few  facts  and  incidents  in  the  experience 
of  the  regiment  while  there. 

As  has  been  already  noted,  a  part  of  the  duty  per- 
formed by  the  regiment  at  Camp  Butler  was  guarding 
Confederate  prisoners.  One  day  a  detail  of  ten  or  a 
dozen  men  was  called  for,  to  do  duty  inside  the  barracks, 
and  outside  too,  guarding  squads  of  Confederates.  The 
detail  was  made,  and  put  under  the  charge  of  a  ser- 
geant, who  reported  to  the  proper  officer  inside  the 
barracks.  The  detail  was  directed  to  "  rest  at  will,"  in 
a  certain  place.  Soon  after  this  the  sergeant  was 
called  on  for  three  or  four  guards,  to  watch  a  squad  of 
prisoners  while  performing  some  sort  of  fatigue  duty — 
digging  graves  for  some  of  their  unfortunate  comrades, 
perhaps.  Later  he  was  called  on  for  three  or  four 
men  to  guard  a  squad  of  Confederates  while  taking  a 
swim  in  the  Sangamon  River.  The  men  were  fur- 
nished as  required,  and  started  with  some  twelve  or 
fifteen  prisoners  for  the  "  swimming-hole."  The  "  John- 
nies" were  counted,  or  supposed  to  have  been,  as  they 
hurriedly  passed  through  the  barracks  gate,  going  out. 
In  the  course  of  an  hour,  or  less  time,  the  guards,  with 
the  prisoners  in  charge,  returned,  and  the  latter  were 
counted  as  they,  less  hurriedly  than  before,  passed  in- 
side the  barracks.  The  guard  at  the  gate  alleged  that 
the  squad  of  prisoners  coming  in  was  not  as  large  by 
one  or  two  men  as  the  squad  going  out.  Whether 
true  or  not  it  was  so  reported,  and  the  guards  were 


SA  BBA  TH  SEE  VICES.  6  9 

forthwith  lodged  in  the  guard-house  and  the  sergeant 
ordered  to  "consider"  himself  under  arrest.  This  was 
probably  about  the  first  experience  of  any  of  the  73d 
in  the  guard-house.  Whether  any  Confederates  really 
escaped  or  not  is  not  certainly  known.  Surely  none 
were  drowned,  as  there  were  no  "  duds  "  of  "butternut" 
hue  left  on  the  river  bank. 

While  speaking  incidentally  of  the  rebel  prisoners, 
we  will  quote  what  is  said  of  them  directly,  under 
date  of  July  25,  1862,  in  a  diary  we  have  at  hand 
(Kyger's)  : 

"Camp  Butler  is  a  piece  of  ground  surrounded  by  a  plank 
fence  about  twelve  feet  high.  It  contains  twelve  acres,  and  the 
west  half  is  the  encampment  of  the  rebel  prisoners,  some  twenty- 
three  hundred  in  number.  They  are  a  hard-looking  class,  unin- 
telligent, but  look  hardy,  and  are  nearly  all  large  men." 

The  73d  being  the  "  Preacher  Regiment,"  we  will 
quote  from  the  same  diary,  under  date  of  July  27, 
1862,  as  follows: 

"The  first  Sabbath  morning  in  camp.  Called  together  by 
the  drum  and  fife.  Had  prayers  and  called  the  roll.  At  eleven 
o'clock  \\re  were  called  together  by  the  drum  and  fife  for  preach- 
ing. Played  two  tunes  and  sung,  which  by  the  way  was  quite  a 
singular  way  to  commence  meeting.  During  the  sermon,  preached 
by  V.  J.  Buchanan,  muskets  were  heard  firing  on  all  sides;  the 
soldiers  were  discharging  the  old  loads  from  their  guns.  Had 
dinner,  and  at  three  o'clock  we  were  again  called  together  and 
had  a  sermon  by  Davies,  by  the  way  a  good  one  ;  and  had  some  lady 
visitors  to  hear  him  ;  quite  a  crowd  present.  Time  passed  off 
pleasantly ;  all  social,  and  good  fellows  well  met.  Now,  while  I 
write,  Lieutenant  Davies  is  taking  down  the  names  of  those  who 
want  to  belong  to  Church.  He  took  fifty-five  names." 

The  work  done  by  Lieutenant  Davies  in  the  line 
suggested  is  something  that  he  need  not  regret;  doubt- 
less he  recalls  it  with  no  small  degree  of  satisfaction. 


70  "DRUMMED  OUT  OF  CAMP." 

Religious  services  were  persevered  in  by  the  "Preacher 
Regiment"  for  quite  a  period  of  time,  not  only  at  Camp 
Butler,  but  later  on,  as  opportunity  offered  and  preach- 
ers remained  with  it  willing  to  lead  them.  The  chap- 
lain of  the  regiment  had  a  number  of  brother  preachers — 
a  dozen  at  least — among  the  officers,  who  could  aid  or 
relieve  him  in  the  duties  of  his  position ;  but  after  the 
lapse  of  six  or  eight  months  he  had  to  assume  almost 
the  entire  responsibility  of  his  office,  Colonel  Jaquess 
occasionally  supplying  his  place. 

A  day  or  so  before  the  regiment  was  mustered  in, 
a  man  was  found  in  one  company  who  had  reconsidered 
the  matter  of  entering  the  military  service  of  his  coun- 
try, and  concluded  that  he  would  not  be  mustered  or 
sworn  into  service.  As  soon  as  his  determination  was 
certainly  known,  the  fife  and  drum  corps  of  his  com- 
pany, re-enforced  perhaps  by  that  of  other  companies, 
collected  quite  a  crowd,  and  with  the  repentant  volun- 
teer a  little  in  advance,  he  was  promptly  drummed  out 
of  camp,  and  escorted  part  of  the  way  to  Jim  Town, 
the  nearest  railroad  station,  now  Riverton.  The  name 
of  that  man  does  not  appear  on  the  rolls  of  the  reg- 
iment. Had  he  entered  the  service  fully  he  might  have 
made  a  splendid  soldier;  or  he  might  now  be  accounted 
for  as  a  deserter,  as  some  thirty  odd  of  the  regiment 
now  are  accounted  for,  either  justly  or  unjustly ;  there 
are  instances  of  both  no  doubt.  We  can  imagine 
certain  reasons  which  may  not  justify  or  excuse  the 
crime  of  desertion,  but  at  the  same  time  might  serve 
to  palliate  the  offense  or  lessen  its  punishment. 

The  regiment  was  not  supplied  with  arms  at  Camp 
Butler,  except  for  use  temporarily  while  drilling,  or  on 
duty  in  and  about  the  barracks.  In  the  matter  of  uni- 


PRELIMINARIES  AND  DETAILS.  71 

form,  clothing,  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  some  delay 
was  met  with,  and  much  trouble  and  annoyance  expe- 
rienced. This  was  probably  occasioned  by  the  demand 
for  such  a.rticles  being  greater  than  the  supply.  There 
was  some  hitch  or  delay  in  issuing  the  first  commissary 
stores,  rations,  bread,  beans,  and  bacon  to  some  of  the 
companies  or  squads  on  arriving  at  Camp  Butler.  One 
company,  we  know,  did  not  partake  of  its  first  break- 
fast in  camp  until  ten  o'clock,  though  arriving  there  at 
four  o'clock,  six  hours  earlier  in  the  day.  After  the  ex- 
hibition of  some  perseverance  and  patience,  as  well  as 
of  impatience,  the  regiment  was  fully  furnished  with  all 
supplies  needed  before  it  reached  "  Dixie." 

Of  course  the  distribution  of  clothing  and  the  don- 
ning of  uniforms  furnished  the  regiment  with  consider- 
able fun  and  merriment.  The  experience  of  the  73d 
in  this  respect  was  similar  to  that  of  all  other  regiments. 
When  a  man  selected  a  uniform  that  was  too  small  or 
too  large,  the  inquiry  would  be,  "  Where's  the  man 
that  will  fit  this  suit?"  or  "  Have  we  got  a  man  that  will 
meet  the,  requirements  of  these  'breeches,'  and  leave 
nothing  to  spare?"  "Here's  a  suit  that  was  made  for 
Walter  Scott,  or  David  McDonald,"  according  to  size, 
an  extra  small  suit  being  suited  to  Scott,  while  an  extra 
large  suit  was  required  to  suit  "  Mac  "  If  an  extra 
large  pair  of  shoes  was  found  in  the  invoice  to  Com- 
pany C — a  pair  too  large  for  ';  Mac,"  for  instance — no 
uneasiness  was  felt,  and  no  hesitation  either,  at  striking 
a  trade  for  that  pair  in  Company  D  with  "Commodore 
Foot."  A  little  time  only  was  required  to  make  all 
needful  adjustments  of  the  man  to  the  clothes,  or  the 
clothes  to  the  man  ;  or  if  more  was  required,  there  were 
some  tailors  in  the  regiment — one  anyhow,  Suycott,  in 


72  ELEMENTARY  PRINCIPLES  OF  DRILL. 

Company  C — who  could  "  cut  down,"  "  fill  in,"  "  piece 
out,"  or  do  all  the  "  ripping "  and  "  sewing  up "  that 
was  indispensable  to  comfort  and  a  soldierly  appearance. 

The  time  of  the  regiment  put  in  to  the  greatest  ad- 
vantage and  credit  while  at  Camp  Butler,  was  the  time 
spent  in  drilling.  The  regiment  had  the  advantage 
and  good  fortune  of  possessing  a  good  drill-master  in 
the  person  of  its  Major,  William  A.  Presson.  In  mat- 
ters of  drill  and  strictly  military  maneuvers  and  move- 
ments the  major  was  very  proficient,  and  he  had  a 
singular  tact  and  directness  in  imparting  his  knowledge 
to  others.  He  laid  well  the  foundation  for  a  well- 
drilled  regiment,  by  enabling  it  to  perfectly  perform  all 
the  simpler  and  essential  evolutions.  We  hazard  little 
hi  saving  that  few,  if  any,  regiments  left  the  prepar- 
atory camp  for  the  front  during  the  war  that  were  bet- 
ter drilled  than  the  73d  Illinois.  Touching  this  point,  we 
shall  show  in  a  succeeding  chapter,  in  its  order  accord- 
ing to  date,  what  General  P.  H.  Sheridan  had  to  say. 

We  must  not  omit  detailing  one  little  incident  that 
occurred  before  the  companies  of  the  regiment,  had  been 
instructed  in  military  tactics.  It  occurred  inside  the 
barracks  one  morning,  at  guard-mounting.  One  of  our 
fifers — the  one  who  officiated  as  fife-major  of  the  reg- 
iment— manipulated  the  fife  at  this  particular  guard- 
mounting.  The  music  he  made  was,  if  possible,  more 
perfect  than  his  step  was  graceful.  The  adjutant  who 
superintended  the  mounting  of  the  guards,  desiring  to 
recognize  and  compliment  our  fifer  on  the  superiority 
of  his  music,  saluted  him,  making  a  simple,  graceful, 
military  salute.  Wherepon  our  fifer,  instead  of  return- 
ing the  salute  or  keeping  right  on  with  his  music, 
turned  to  his  left,  advanced  to  the  adjutant,  and  shook 


LOCAL  BOUNTY— EXPLANATORY  NOTES.  73 

hands  with  him.  "And  you  shook  hands  with  the  ad- 
jutant?" was  a  remark  addressed' quite  often  to  Major 
Huffman  during  his  three  years'  service.  But  the 
major  only  intended  to  be  polite  ;  he  was  not  going  to 
be  outdone  by  an  adjutant. 

Each  enlisted  man  of  the  regiment  received  forty 
dollars  at  Camp  Butler — twenty-five  dollars  advance 
bounty,  two  dollars  "premium,"  and  one  month's  ad- 
vance pay,  thirteen  dollars.  The  two  companies  from 
Vermilion  were  paid  a  bounty  by  that  county,  each 
married  man  receiving  twenty-five  dollars,  and  each 
unmarried  man  ten  dollars. 


NOTE  1. — Of  the  373  men  mustered  out,  June  12,  1865,  quite  a 
number,  perhaps  an  average  of  five  or  six  men  to  the  company,  had 
not  for  some  time  seen  active  service  with  the  regiment,  but  were  sent 
to  it  in  order  that  they  might  be  mustered  out  with  the  others. 

NOTE  2. — This  being  intended  as  a  history  of  the  services  of  the  73d, 
not  much  space  is  devoted  to  a  detail  of  events  occurring  before  the 
regiment  reached  the  theater  of  active  operations.  We  preferred  to 
give  space  to  the  roster,  thus  showing  the  complete  organization. 


74  "BROKE  CAMP"   THE  FIRST  TIME. 


CHAPTER  II. 

LEAVE  CAMP  BUTLER — JOURNEY  TO  LOUISVILLE — CAMP  JAQUESS 

ARMS  AND  OTHER  SUPPLIES  ISSUED  —  MULES,  TOO  —  CAMP 
YATES — HARD  MARCH — GO  TO  CINCINNATI  AND  COVINGTON — 
RETURN  TO  LOUISVILLE. 

THE  73d  having  been  as  fully  equipped  and  as  well 
drilled  as  was  the  rule  in  cases  of  volunteers  leaving 
the  preparatory  camp,  little  was  left  to  be  done  in  the 
way  of  final  preparations,  after  its  muster-in,  before 
starting  for  the  front. 

The  urgent  need  of  additional  forces  in  the  field 
probably  hastened  the  supply  of  transportation  for  the 
regiment.  On  the  sixth  day  after  its  muster  into  serv- 
ice, the  regiment  was  provided  for  in  this  respect. 
On  the  twenty-seventh  day  of  August,  1862,  we  broke 
camp  for  the  first  time,  and  withdrew  in  "  good  order  " 
from  Camp  Butler,  leaving  nothing  of  value  in  the  line 
of  war  material  behind.  A  train,  consisting  of  about 
twenty  cars,  with  an  engine  in  both  front  and  rear,  was 
found  on  the  track  of  the  Toledo,  Wabash  and  Western 
Railroad,  ready  for  our  accommodation.  We  mounted 
this  train,  and  very  soon  after  getting  "stowed  away," 
in  position,  the  precautionary  notice,  "  All  aboard,"  was 
given;  it  pulled  out,  and  we  sped  on  our  journey  from 
the  "  Prairie  State."  Whether  notice  of  our  coming  was 
sent  on  in  advance  we  can  not  say,  but  at  most  of  the 
towns  and  stations  on  the  way  crowds  had  collected  to 
witness  what  was  then  becoming  a  rather  usual  spec- 


JO URNE Y  BY  RA IL.  75 

tacle,  the  passing  of  troops  on  their  way  to  the  scene 
of  actual  conflict.  Our  train,  perhaps,  being  a  "  special " 
instead  of  a  regular  train,  was  the  real  explanation  of 
the  interest  and  curiosity  manifested  at  the  different 
points.  We  were,  however,  greeted  with  cheers  and 
huzzas,  and  many  "  Godspeeds "  and  "  God  bless 
you's."  Not  only  at  the  towns  would  these  exhibitions 
of  interest  and  approval  be  manifested,  but  from  many 
a  cottage  home  in  the  country,  and  on  the  farms  near 
the  railway,  a  hat,  bonnet,  or  handkerchief  would  be 
seen  to  wave  to  us  an  encouraging  farewell. 

After  leaving  Camp  Butler  and  Jim  Town,  perhaps 
the  only  points  where  we  received  accessions  to  out- 
numbers were  Bement,  Fairmount,  and  Danville.  These 
places  being  in  the  midst  of  or  near  to  localities  which 
had  furnished  volunteers  to  the  regiment,  a  few  men 
who  had  availed  themselves  of  the  privileges  conferred 
by  a  "  French  leave  "  to  go  home  and  make  some  final 
dispositions  and  adieus,  probably  got  aboard  at  each 
point  last  named,  as  our  train  came  along.  Most  of  the 
men  volunteering  from  Sangamon  County  and  the 
counties  north,  south,  and  west  of  Sangamon,  had  fixed 
up  business,  and  attended  to  all  these  tender  and  deli- 
cate matters  at  home  before  the  muster-in  of  the  regi- 
ment. 

Soon  after  passing  Danville  we  were  beyond  the 
limits  of  Illinois.  At  Lafayette  Junction,  near  Lafay- 
ette. Indiana,  we  changed  direction,  our  train  was 
"  switched  off"  to  another  railroad  and  headed  for  Indi- 
anapolis. Manifestations  of  a  cheering  and  encouraging 
character,  similar  to  those  we  had  witnessed  in  Illinois, 
also  greeted  us  on  our  way  through  the  "  Hoosier " 
State.  These  manifestations,  as  well  as  the  change  of 


76  INCIDENT  OF  TRIP  TO  THE  FRONT. 

objects  and  scenery,  and  discussion  and  speculation  in 
respect  to  the  future,  served  to  mitigate  the  sadness  or 
preoccupy  the  minds  of  the  men,  thus  preventing  the 
sadness,  which  it  was  expected  they  would  feel  on 
finally  getting  away  from  their  homes.  But  little  time 
had  been  lost  at  intermediate  points  before  reaching 
Lafayette  Junction,  but  the  rate  of  speed  at  which 
our  train  had  traveled  was  not  very  high.  We  reached 
Indianapolis  late  in  the  day.  At  this  point  some  delay 
was  expected,  because  unavoidable.  While  necessary 
details  were  being  looked  after,  and  arrangements  for 
our  transportation  southward  were  being  made,  dark- 
ness came  over  us. 

Shortly  after  nightfall,  our  long  train  was  cut  in 
two.  Owing  to  the  deficiency  and  imperfection  of  the 
light,  but  few  men  in  the  regiment  were  ;iware  that 
our  train  had  been  divided,  and  they  were  near  the 
point  on  one  or  the  other  of  the  two  cars,  where  the 
severance  was  made.  Each  section  was  moved  about 
considerably,  backward  and  forward,  while  most  of 
the  men  supposed  our  train  was  moving  as  a  whole 
train.  Finally  the  two  sections,  came  alongside  each 
other,  and  the  inquiry,  "  What  regiment  is  that  ? " 
"What  regiment  is  that?"  was  propounded  by  the  men 
on  each  train  to  those  on  the  other.  It  so  happened, 
the  men  on  both  trains  gave  the  wrong  answers  to  the 
questions  propounded.  Strange  thing,  too,  for  soldiers 
to  do.  Taking  those  answers  as  a  correct  indication, 
several  States  were  represented  on  the  two  trains,  and 
were  sending  troops  south  at  the  same  time.  The 
answers  as  made  provoked  a  shower  of  additional  ques- 
tions from  either  side,  and  the  men  soon  found  they 
were  all  soldiers  from  Illinois  and  belonged  to  the  same 


WE  "PLAYED"  SOLDIER  A  LITTLE.  77 

regiment.  Most  of  the  talk,  however,  was  indulged  in 
after  this  discovery  was  made,  there  being  a  real 
deception  at  the  start. 

Late  in  the  night  we  left  Indianapolis  for  Jefferson- 
ville,  arriving  at  the  latter  place  early  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  day  of  August,  1862.  We  got  through  break- 
fasting, north  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  had  not  long  to 
look  or  loiter  around  before  crossing  to  the  south  side 
of  that  stream,  in  a  vessel  used  for  ferrying  purposes. 
The  heat  of  the  day  was  mostly  endured  in  the  streets 
of  Louisville. 

Some  time  before  night-fall  our  first  camp-ground  was 
selected,  and  we  marched  to  it,  and  made  preparations 
for  our  first  night's  rest  on  Southern  soil.  Next  day 
the  boundaries  of  the  camp  were  definitely  determined, 
and  space  assigned  to  head-quarters  and  to  each  com- 
pany. The  camp  was  located  not  very  far  from  the 
Louisville  and  Nashville  Railroad  depot,  and  was  named 
"  Camp  Jaquess,"  in  honor  of  our  colonel.  Tents  were 
put  up  in  order,  rations  were  issued,  and  a  camp-guard 
established,  though  the  guards  had  no  arms  to  use 
while  doing  guard  duty,  other  than  clubs  and  revolvers. 
Of  the  former,  quite  a  number  were  picked  up  and  used  in 
lieu  of  guns  and  for  fuel ;  and  of  the  latter  quite  a  num- 
ber were  in  the  regiment,  owned  chiefly  by  the  officers, 
commissioned  and  non-commissioned.  While  still  desti- 
tute of  arms,  other  than  those  just  mentioned,  the  reg- 
iment was  called  on  for  men  to  perform  guard  duty  at 
points  remote  from  the  city  and  our  camp.  Whether 
this  duty  was  regarded  as  necessary,  or  merely  im- 
posed as  a  means  of  disciplining  the  men  and  initiat- 
ing them  into  military  "  mysteries,"  we  do  not  know. 
We  do  remmeber  there  were  some  grave  intimantios 


78  MORE  NOISE  THAN  DAMAGE. 

as  to  the  importance  and  danger  possibly  belonging  to 
or  connected  with  the  duty  to  be  performed.  The 
very  best  revolvers  therefore  were  in  demand  by  those 
men  who  were  trusted  to  the  extent  of  being  charged 
with  this  duty.  Much  solicitude  was  felt  and  expressed 
a.s  to  whether  or  not  the  revolvers  would  "miss  fire" 
just  at  a  time  when  a  minute  was  worth  more  than  an 
ordinary  life-time.  The  "loads"  in  those  revolvers 
were  not  discharged  at  any  other  marks,  so  far  as  we 
know,  than  stumps,  board  fences,  and  embankments ; 
nor  were  any  of  the  guards  attacked  or  run  into  by 
anybody  or  anything  more  formidable  than  milk  and 
fruit  men  and  wagons;  these,  of  course,  failed  to  get 
into  the  city,  being  turned  back  at  all  points  where  our 
guards  were  posted.  Some  of  the  men,  after  doing 
duty  like  that  a  few  times,  doubtless  began  entertain- 
ing the  idea  they  were  full-fledged  veterans.  But  if 
so,  they  soon  learned  better. 

By  the  time  we  were  getting  fairly  settled  in  Camp 
Jaquess,  and  beginning  to  have  some  crude  notions, 
more  definite  ideas  about  soldiering,  we  received  our 
ordnance  stores,  also  tents,  wagons,  harness,  mules, 
ambulances,  and  medical  supplies.  Soon  after  the  dis- 
tribution of  these,  we  received  orders  to  march.  Cloth- 
ing and  some  other  supplies  furnished  by  the  quarter- 
master, we  had  received  at  Camp  Butler.  We  did  not 
get  away  from  Camp  Jaquess,  however,  without  pass- 
ing one  Sabbath-day,  August  31, 1862,  which  was  appro- 
priately observed  by  the  regiment. 

The  arms  issued  to  the  regiment  were  the  Belgian 
or  Austrian  musket,  caliber  No.  58 ;  the  former,  we 
think,  was  the  pattern  or  kind  of  musket  we  received. 
It  carried  a  bullet,  three  buck-shot,  and  all  the  powder 


CAMP  JAQUESS  AND  CAMP  DICK  YATES.  79 

necessary  to  make  the  ball  and  shot  go  somewhere. 
These  muskets  were  rather  heavy,  and,  with  bayonet, 
cartridge-box,  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  added, 
one  of  them  made  quite  a  burden  for  an  ordinary  man 
to  carry.  At  this  stage  of  our  service,  too,  a  knapsack 
and  its  contents  was  no  small  matter,  nor  was  a 
haversack  containing  three  days'  rations  much  less. 

We  moved  from  Camp  Jaquess  early  in  September, 
having  remained  there  about  one  week.  Camp  Dick  Yates, 
located  some  three  and  one-half  or  four  miles  eastward 
from  Louisville,  was  our  next  stopping-place.  We  got 
our  quarters  and  camp  comfortably  arranged  and  in 
order  by  September  5th.  From  this  fact  we  judge  that 
our  change  from  our  first  to  second  camp  in  Kentucky 
took  place  either  on  the  second  or  third  day  of  Sep- 
tember. At  Camp  Yates  we  found  quite  a  number  of 
troops,  all  new  regiments  like  our  own.  The  several 
regimenls  were  drilled  some  and  organized  into  brigades  ; 
one  division  only  being  formed. 

Between  the  fourth  and  tenth  days  of  September, 
two  notable  events  in  the  experience  of  these  new 
troops  occurred.  The  memoranda  at  hand  does  not 
disclose  which  of  these  two  events  occurred  first ;  it 
matters  little,  but  the  memorable  inspection  at  Louis- 
ville probably  came  first.  The  command  was  ordered 
to  Louisville  for  the  purpose  of  submitting  to  an  in- 
spection. The  men  were  required  to  march  with  packed 
knapsacks  and  all  other  accouterments.  The  wagon- 
train  accompanied  the  command ;  it  was  to  be  inspected 
also.  Arrived  in  the  city,  after  a  fatiguing  march;  the 
weather  being  very  warm  and  dry,  and  the  loads  the 
men  carried,  in  many  cases,  being  "  simply  immense," 
"  beyond  all  precedent,"  it  could  not  have  been  other- 


80  "COLD  SHOULDER"   TO  BAGGAGE. 

wise.  We  were  halted  in  the  street,  knapsacks  were 
unslung,  and  the  inspecting  officers  proceeded  to  busi- 
ness. The  officers  made  thorough  work  of  it,  going 
through  knapsacks  and  each  wagon.  Many  articles 
were  thrown  out  of  knapsacks,  articles  of  utility  and 
value  in  almost  any  place,  convenient  in  camp  perhaps, 
but  not  essential  or  indispensable  to  soldiers  while  on 
the  march.  From  the  train  valises,  trunks,  and  many 
other  superfluous  articles  were  thrown  out.  A  large 
trunk  landed  on  the  sidewalk,  taken  from  one  wagon 
of  our  train,  and  which  belonged  to  one  of  the  corporals, 
was  the  subject  of  much  comment.  The  chief  object 
of  this  inspection  evidently  was  to  reduce  the  amount 
of  stores  to  be  transported  by  the  trains  or  carried  on 
the  backs  of  the  men  to  something  like  reasonable  pro- 
portions. The  inspection  ended,  and  the  command  re- 
turned to  camp.  On  the  return  march  many  of  the 
men  dropped  out,  being  extremely  wearied,  some  of 
them  not  reaching  camp  until  the  next  day. 

The  other  event  deemed  noteworthy  occurred  im- 
mediately after  we  received  intelligence  of  the  defeat 
of  the  Union  forces  at  Richmond,  Kentucky.  Our 
command  was  required  to  make  a  hasty  march  in  the 
direction  of  the  scene  of  the  late  disaster.  After  some- 
thing more  than  a  day's  march  we  met  the  retreating 
forces.  After  they  had  passed  by,  we  started  on  our 
return  march  to  camp.  This  little  jaunt  was  also  pretty 
severe  on  the  new  troops,  water  being  scarce  or 
hard  to  find,  and  the  dust  correspondingly  abundant. 
At  Camp  Dick  Yates,  on  September  7th,  Colonel 
Jaquess  officiated  as  chaplain  ;  at  least  he  preached  a 
sermon,  and  had  for  hearers  a  great  many  soldiers,  be- 
sides those  of  his  own  regiment.  He  used  as  a  pulpit 


MISTAKES— A  LITTLE  PREMATURE.  81 

the   porch  of   the  large   residence-building   where   the 
general  head-quarters  were  located.* 

The  100th  Illinois  and  the  79th  and  88th  Indiana 
Regiments  were  associated  with  our  own  in  brigade  or- 
ganization, while  at  Camp  Dick  Yates.  The  officers  and 
men  of  the  different  regiments  of  the  brigade  were  sub- 
ject to  detail  to  serve  as  staff-officers,  clerks,  and  order- 
lies at  the  brigade  head-quarters.  Those  officers  and 
men  detailed  to  do  duty  in  the  capacities  named,  were 
detailed  temporarily  only,  and  sent  away  from  their 
companies  to  discharge  certain  duties  for  the  time  being, 
or  during  the  pleasure  of  the  brigade  commander.  We 
know  this  all  very  well  now ;  have  known  it  quite 
a  long  time;  learned  it  very  soon  after  entering  the 
first  brigade  we  were  in,  Colonel  E.  N.  Kirk  command- 
ing. Colonel  Kirk  had  to  have  staff-officers,  clerks,  and 
orderlies.  Of  these  the  73d  furnished  its  share.  A 
first  lieutenant  and  a  duty-sergeant  were  detailed  from 
one  company  to  serve  as  staff-officer  and  clerk,  respect- 
ively, at  brigade  head-quarters.  A  mistake  was  made 
in  supposing  these  details  created  vacancies  in  that 
company.  We  copy  the  original  draft  of  an  order  issued 
from  our  regimental  head-quarters: 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  73d  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS,  ) 
CAMP  DICK  YATES,  September  5,  1862.         J 

"  Tilmon  D.  Kyger  is  hereby  appointed  second  lieutenant  of 
Company  C,  73d  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers,  a  vacancy  having 
occurred  by  the  promotion  of  Lieutenant  M.  D.  Hawes  to  the 
general's  staff." 


*  We  remember  very  well  that  the  colonel  preached  from  the  porch  of 
the  head-quarters  building,  but  we  have  no  recollection  whatever  as 
to  the  text  chosen  as  a  basis  for  his  remarks,  if  we  ever  knew  it.  The 
colonel  seemed  "  perfectly  at  home "  while  addressing  an  audience, 
and  always  enlisted  the  attention  of  soldiers,  or  civilians  either  for 
that  matter,  when  privileged  to  hear  him. 

6 


82  LEAVING  CAMP  DICK  YATES. 

There  was  a  mistake  made  in  issuing  the  order  at 
all,  there  being  no  vacancy,  and  there  was  a  mistake 
in  the  order  itself,  as  Hawes  was  first  lieutenant,  not 
second ;  it  was  sought  to  make  Davies  first  lieutenant 
and  to  advance  Kyger  to  the  place  thought  to  be  made 
vacant  by  the  promotion  of  Davies.  The  position 
thought  to  be  made  vacant  by  the  duty  sergeant's  ab- 
sence from  the  company,  was  promptly  filled  by  the 
promotion  of  a  corporal  over  three  sergeants.  It  was 
well  the  corporal  had  his  laugh  first,  or  he  would  have 
had  none  on  this  score,  as  when  the  error  was  discov- 
ered he  had  to  resume  his  accustomed  place,  and  the 
sergeants  aforesaid  had  a  laugh.  We  give  this  scrap 
of  history  by  way  of  illustrating  how  egregiously 
green  green  troops  were.  What  was  learned  in  this 
instance  was  well  learned,  and  never  forgotten. 

Immediately  after  our  return  march,  covering  the 
retreat  of  those  forces  which  had  been  defeated  at 
Richmond,  Kentucky,  we  were  again  placed  under 
marching  orders. 

On  September  10,  1862,  we  left  Camp  Dick  Yates 
and  marched  to  Louisville.  At  seven  o'clock  P.  M. 
were  ordered  to  march  forthwith  to  the  Jeffersonville 
landing.  In  the  vicinity  of  this  landing  we  remained  until 
the  morning  of  September  llth.  The  weather  was  ex- 
ceedingly dry,  the  dust  being  not  less  than  two  inches 
deep  at  the  point  where  we  passed  the  night.  Early  on 
the  llth  we  learned  Cincinnati  was  our  destination,  and 
soon  after  crossed  the  Ohio  River  to  Jeffersonville.  We 
boarded  the  cars  at  Jeffersonville  at  10.30  o'clock 
A.  M.  and  started  northward.  Eight  miles  out  we 
were  delayed  by  the  smashing  of  a  trestle-work  as  it 
was  being  passed  over  by  a  train  ahead  of  ours.  Three 


THROUGH  SOUTHERN  INDIANA. 


83 


cars  were  thrown  off  the  track,  and  rolled  into  a  ravine. 
We  remember  this  delay  very  well,  as,  while  waiting, 
some  of  us  repaired  to  a  farm-house  near  the  railroad 
and  got  an  "  old-time "  dinner,  the  first  meal  we  had 
taken  under  a  roof  since  leaving  home. 

We  left  Sellersburg,  Clark  County,  Indiana,  at  5.15 
o'clock  P.  M.,  and  two  hours  later  arrived  at  Seymour. 
At  about  midnight,  we  were  again  on  the  way,  bound 


PONTOON   BRIDGE,  CINCINNATI,  OHIO. 

» 

for  Cincinnati,  eighty-four  miles  distant.  The  train 
consisted  of  twenty-five  cars,  each  car  "  closely  packed  " 
with  soldiers.  We  reached  Cincinnati  at  six-  o'clock  on 
the  morning  of  September  12th,  and  marched  immedi- 
ately to  the  Fifth  Street  market-place,  and  took  break- 
fast. At  eleven  o'clock  we  marched  down  to  the  river 
and  crossed  on  a  pontoon  bridge  made  of  coal-boats  and 


84  AT  CINCINNATI—  COVING  TON,  KY. 

plank.  Our  marching  through  the  streets  to  the  river 
attracted  general  attention  and  excited  favorable  com- 
ment, and  many  inquiries  as  to  whether  our  regiment 
was  an  old  one  or  not.  Shortly  after  this  a  very  fine  en- 
graving was  produced  representing  or  showing  the  reg- 
iment as  it  appeared  when  passing  on  to  the  pontoon 
bridge. 

In  the  streets  of  Cincinnati  we  met  a  few  soldiers 
who  had  been  separated  from  their  commands  since  the 
battle  at  Richmond,  Kentucky,  of  August  30th. 
Escaping  capture,  these  men  had  fled  before  the  ad- 
vance of  Kirby  Smith's  army  to  Cincinnati  for  safety. 
One  of  these  men,  David  M.  Haworth,  of  the  3d  East 
Tennessee  Infantry,  being  acquainted  with  many  of 
the  soldiers  in  Company  C,  of  the  73d,  remained  with 
them  until  about  October  1st. 

Again  pressing  Kentucky  soil,  we  marched  through 
Covington,  and  pitched  our  tents  in  the  eastern  suburbs 
of  town.  The  people  of  Covington,  as  well  as  those  of 
Cincinnati,  were  entertaining  great  fears  of  an  attack 
by  Kirby  Smith.  Many  citizens  turned  out  and  helped 
to  throw  up  fortifications.  It  appears,  from  a  diary  at 
hand — Kyger's — that  the  regiment  had  either  battalion 
or  company  drill  on  Saturday,  September  13,  1862. 
The  entry  for  September  14th  we  copy  in  part  as  follows : 

"  Received  marching  orders  at  5.15  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  at  7.45 
o'clock  A.  M.  the  regiment  moved  off  down  the  turnpike,  and 
crossed  over  Licking  Creek.  Halted  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  for 
further  orders.  I  write  this  from  Fort  Licking,  on  a  high  eminence ; 
the  fort  has  two  cannon,  one  twenty-four  pounder  and  one  thirty- 
pounder,  commanding  the  Lexington  turnpike,  the  eastern  entrance 
to  the  city.  From  this  point  I  can  see  fortifications  on  all  the 
hills  around.  View  most  splendid.  We  pitched  our  tents  in  the 
orchard  near  the  fort." 


D  UTY  AT  AND  NEAR  CO  VINO  TON.  85 

We  might  quote  still  more,  but  as  the  experience 
and  the  events  for  another  week  did  not  materially 
change,  this  will  suffice.  The  attack  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  which  at  first  seemed  imminent,  did  not  material- 
ize; and  the  excitement  and  apprehension  among  the 
people  subsided  and  disappeared. 

Our  stay  at  Covington  and  in  the  neighboring  coun- 
try did  not  cover  two  weeks'  time.  We  do  not  re- 
member, and  the  data  at  hand  do  not  show,  whether 
any  other  regiment  accompanied  the  73d  from  Louis- 
ville to  Covington  or  not.  There  certainly  was  no 
other  regiment  on  the  same  train  with  our  own.  We 
found  at  Covington  a  number  of  regiments,  mostly,  if  not 
all,  new  ones,  and  very  recently  recruited,  and  just  ar- 
rived from  their  rendezvous  camps.  Among  these  was 
the  125th  Illinois  Volunteers,  Colonel  0.  F.  Harmon  com- 
manding. A  large  part  of  this  regiment,  and  a  smaller 
part  of  the  73d,  were  recruited  in  the  same  county. 

While  at  Covington.  nothing  beyond  the  most  tempo- 
rary organization  was  accomplished  or  attempted,  the 
necessity  for  the  concentration  of  troops  or  war  material  at 
this  point  having  passed  away.  We  find  this  state- 
ment, however,  in  a  diary  from  which  we  have  already 
quoted.  Under  date  of  September  12th,  it  says:  "We 
are  to  go  into  General  Wallace's  Division.  Glad  of  that!" 

Our  experience  about  Covington  was  very  similar  to 
that  at  Louisville,  both  in  respect  to  reports  and  rumors 
afloat  and  the  nature  of  the  duty  done,  though  at  the 
former  place  the  duty  was  on  a  somewhat  larger  scale. 
On  or  before  September  28th  we  had  reached  Louis- 
ville, returning  to  that  point  from  Covington  by  way 
of  Cincinnati  and  Indianapolis.  We  may  have  reached 
Louisville  as  early  as  September  25th,  or  even  a  day 


86 


RETURN  TO  LOUISVILLE— REORGANIZATION. 


or  two  earlier,  but  not  later  than  the  28th.  We  arrived 
there  at  about  the  same  time,  within  a  day  or  two,  of 
the  date  of  the  arrival  of  Buell's  army,  which  was  on 
the  26th.  In  Kyger's  diary,  under  date  of  September 
29th,  we  find  this  entry : 

"General  Jeff.  C.  Davis  shot  General  Nelson  at  the  Gait 
House  this  morning,  at  eight  o'clock.  The  insult  arose  from  Gen- 
eral Nelson  slapping  General  Davis  in  the  face.  Davis  drew  a 
pistol,  and  shot ;  the  ball  entered  Nelson's  breast,  and  he  died  in 
about  twenty  minutes.  From  the  best  information  I  can  get, 
Davis  was  justified  in  shooting.  The  insult  was  too  much  to  bear." 

After  the  arrival  of  Buell's  army  at  Louisville,  only 
a  few  days  elapsed  before  the  general  forward  move- 
ment was  initiated. 
These  days  were  spent 
in  recuperation,  and  in 
the  interchange  of  civil- 
ities between  the  sol- 
diers, old  and 


new. 

The  reorganization  of 
the  army  was  also  ef- 
fected during  this  time. 
The  new  regiments 
were  distributed  among 


the  old  in  the  formation 
of  brigades ;  three  old 
regiments  were  deemed 
sufficient  to  keep  the  73d  straight,  or  "  hold  it  level," 
as  the  saying  goes.  The  44th  and  73d  Illinois,  and 
the  2d  and  15th  Missouri  Regiments  constituted  the 
35th  brigade  of  the  army,  or  corps,  as  reorganized. 
This  brigade  was  assigned  to  Sheridan's  Division,  the 
llth  in  number. 


SHOOTING  OF  GENERAL  NELSON   BY 
GENERAL  DAVIS. 


HEALTH  OF  THE  MEN— INCIDENT.  87 

Preparatory  to  the  movement  about  to  be  made, 
those  soldiers  who  were  sick  or  in  any  way  incapaci- 
tated for  the  march,  were  sent  to  the  surgeons  for  ex- 
amination, and  if  found  sufficiently  disabled,  they  were 
sent  to  the  hospitals  for  treatment.  The  73d  had  been 
outside  of  Illinois  and  in  the  military  service  at  this 
time  but  a  trifle  more  than  one  month.  The  change  of 
water,  its  scarcity  and  inferior  quality,  as  well  as  the 
change  in  diet,  the  extreme  heat  and  dryness,  and  the 
dust,  all  combined  to  deteriorate  the  health  of  the  new 
troops.  Yellow-jaundice  and  many  other  disorders  pre- 
vailed to  an  almost  alarming  extent  among  them.  The 
73d  was  not  an  exception  to  the  general  rule,  and  fully 
one-tenth  of  the  men  were  left  behind  when  the  reg- 
iment left  Louisville,  on  the  first  day  of  October,  1862, 
and  a  number  of  these  were  discharged. 

We  have  alluded  to  the  fact  of  encountering  David 
M.  Haworth,  of  the  3d  East  Tennessee  Regiment,  in 
the  street  in  Cincinnati.  He  remained  with  our  reg- 
iment, in  Company  C,  for  quite  three  weeks,  and  ac- 
companied us  to  Louisville.  Late  in  September  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  C  received  a  letter  from  Illinois,  witjh. 
another  letter  inclosed,  addressed  "  David  M.  Haworth," 
simply.  The  Company  C  man  was  urged  to  take  par- 
ticular pains  to  find  Haworth  and  deliver  the  letter  to 
him,  as  he  was  missing,  not  having  been  heard  from 
since  the  battle  at  Richmond.  There  is  nothing  unusual 
or  strange  about  this,  unless  it  be  the  fact  that  Haworth 
was  sitting  next  the  man  and  talking  with  him  at  the 
time  the  letter  was  received.  The  urgent  request  was 
easily  and  readily  complied  with,  much  to  Haworth's 
gratification.  There  was  no  intimation  in  either  letter 
that  the  writer  had  learned  Haworth  was  with  us. 


8  8  SICKNESS— RE  UNION. 

Soon  after  this,  Haworth  found  opportunity  of  rejoining 
his  command. 

At  Covington  quite  a  number  of  our  men  were 
taken  sick,  and  left  in  hospitals  at  Cincinnati  when  the 
regiment  returned  to  Louisville.  In  the  course  of  a 
week  most  of  these  men  were  forwarded  to  Louisville 
by  boat,  down  the  Ohio.  Kyger  was  one  of  these. 

From  Kyger's  diary  we  copy  a  portion  of  the  en- 
tries for  September  26th  and  27th : 

"Cincinnati. — Reported  to  Captain  Fletcher  again  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.  He  sends  me  with  thirty-seven  men  on  the 
packet  to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  Started  at  twelve  o'clock  noon. 
Passed  down  the  river  very  pleasantly.  Boys  all  seemed  well 
pleased.  Had  dinner  and  supper  for  the  soldiers  and  cared  for 
them  in  such  a  style  as  they  said  they  had  not  been  since  they 
were  in  the  service.  Run  on  a  sand-bar,  about  thirty-three  miles 
below  the  city.  Staid  two  hours.  I  had  the  soldiers  spread 
down  their  blankets  and  pile  down  for  the  night. 

"Ohio  River,  September  27,  1862. —  Morning  cloudy;  nearing 
Louisville;  in  sight  of  the  water- works.  Arrived  at  8.30  o'clock 
A.  M.  with  all  my  men.  Reported  them  to  Captain  Ottis  and  then  to 
Captain  Holiday,  at  Barracks  No.  1,  in  Louisville.  Disposed  of 
all  my  men  satisfactorily ;  men  all  came  forward  to  shake  hands 
with  me  when  parting,  and  gave  me  many  thanks  for  the  care  I 
had  taken  of  them.  R.  B.  Drake,  myself,  and  two  others  started 
for  the  73d  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers.  Found  the  city  alive 
with  soldiers.  Arrived  at  camp  east  of  town ;  found  the  boys  at 
three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  had  a  glorious  meeting,  such  a  one  as  I 
never  had  before.  Met  a  number  of  the  boys  of  the  25th,  35th, 
and  125th  Illinois  Regiments.  Raining ;  slept  in  a  Methodist 
church  with  Lieutenant  Davies,  Frank  Cook,  Will  Frazier,  Ed. 
Eakin,  and  J.  Judd." 

The  same  diary,  under  date  of  Sunday,  September 
28th,  states  : 

"Our  regiment  ordered  out  on  picket  duty;  all  gone  that  are 
able. 

"September    30th. —  Rumored    attack    by    the   rebels    on    the 


CATCHING    UP   WITH  THE  COMMAND.  89 

Bardstown  Road,  but    rumor   not    generally   believed.      General 
Nelson  was  interred  near  the  city  to-day." 

Kyger  was  again  left  behind  when  the  regiment 
moved  with  the  army  on  October  1st.  He  did  not 
leave  Louisville  until  October  10th.  He  caught  up 
with  the  regiment  one  week  later.  Quite  a  number  of 
the  regiment,  fully  a  hundred,  perhjips  more  men,  caught 
up  with  it  at  the  same  time,  October  17th.  We  can. not 
do  better,  perhaps,  than  to  quote  a  few  entries  made  by 
Kyger,  in  his  diary,  under  dates  from  October  1st  to  17th, 
inclusive.  We  give  the  more  important  and  interesting 
items  in  a  somewhat  condensed  shape.  The  entry  for 
October  1,  1862,  is  : 

"Morning  clear  and  beautiful.  Our  regiment  ordered  to 
move,  with  almost  all  the  troops  about  Louisville  that  are  able  to 
go.  It  is  thought  to  be  a  general  move  after  Bragg.  Regiment  left 
camp  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M. 

"  Thursday,  October  2d. — During  the  day  our  pickets  had  a 
skirmish  about  eighteen  miles  out. 

"  Friday,  October  3d. — Found  the  boys  left  in  camp  all  right. 
The  rebels  were  attacked  at  Mount  Washington  to-day  and 
driven ;  do  not  know  whether  we  lost  any  men  or  not.  Our 
forces  are  out  twenty  miles  and  moving  on. 

"  Saturday,  October  4th. — Raining  this  morning;  we  send  seven 
men  to  the  regiment.  There  are  one  hundred  and  twenty-three 
men  of  the  regiment  left,  unfit  for  duty. 

"  Tuesday,  October  7th. — Called  up  by  Doctor  Pond  to  see  how 
many  would  do  to  go  to  the  regiment;  pretty  nearly  all  able. 

"  Wednesday,  October  8th. — Morning  bright  and  clear.  Pressed 
a  hog ;  had  some  for  breakfast ;  do  not  object  to  such  press — from 
' secesh.' 

"  Friday,  October  10th.— At  2.15  o'clock  P.  M.  we  started  for 
our  regiment,  one  hundred  and  sixty  strong.  Marched  out  on 
Bardstown  pike  five  miles ;  pitched  two  tents,  and  find  ourselves 
very  comfortable  for  the  night. 

"  Sunday,  October  12th. — At  Mount  Washington,  twenty-two 
miles  from  Louisville,  we  halted  and  pressed  four  teams  to  haul 


90  FROM  KYGER'S  MEMORANDA. 

our  feeble  boys.  We  met  quite  a  number  of  paroled  prisoners 
passing  on  their  way  to  Louisville.  After  we  left  Mount  Wash- 
ington, we  passed  several  places  where  they  say  they  have  had 
skirmishes.  At  one  place  we  plainly  smelled  the  carnage.  A 
farmer  told  me  the  rebels  had  left  their  dead  unburied.  We 
passed  on  to  Coxe's  Creek,  and  camped  on  the  north  bank, 
pitched  our  tent,  and  Stephen  Newlin  killed  a  hog.  Our  captain 
had  ascertained  that  there  was  a  'secesh'  farmer  living  a  mile 
and  three-fourths  away.  He  took  a  squad  of  men  and  went  back. 
The  old  woman  told  our  boys  that  she  would  like  it  if  they  would 
all  get  killed.  The  captain  bought  the  farmer's  cow  and  gave  a 
receipt  on  the  United  States  for  her,  with  a  statement  in  same 
about  what  the  old  lady  had  said.  When  the  old  man  came  down 
next  morning  he  declared  himself  all  right  and  would  not  take 
the  receipt.  Our  captain  told  him  if  he  was  right  he  had  been 
wrongly  accused,  and  he  had  better  prove  up  his  loyalty.  We 
went  off  and  left  him. 

"  Monday,  October  13th. — We  still  keep  meeting  paroled  prisouers, 
and  prisoners  confined,  hauled  in  wagons  in  great  numbers,  who 
were  captured  at  the  battle  of  Perryville.  Many  wagon-loads  of 
guns  passed  also.  Stopped  to  camp  forty  miles  from  Louisville, 
in  a  widow  woman's  front  lot.  The  woman  has  two  sous  in  the 
rebel  army.  She  made  serious  objection  to  our  stopping,  but  to 
no  effect.  Major  Presson  (73d)  came  along  at  three  o'clock  P.  M., 
going  home  wounded  in  the  forearm  at  the  battle  of  Perryville. 

"  Tuesday,  October  14th. — We  captured  a  secesh;  he  was  going 
to  join  Bragg's  army.  When  he  saw  us  coming  he  struck  out  on 
a  leafy  road.  We  sent  a  squad  after  him ;  run  him  about  a  mile 
and  a  half,  caught  him,  and  brought  him  up.  He  belonged  to  the 
36th  Mississippi,  and,  according  to  his  admission,  has  been  in  the 
service  since  August  15th.  He  does  not  like  the  service.  We 
take  him  down  with  us  to  our  regiment. 

"  Wednesday,  October  loth. — Near  night  we  passed  Major  Mor- 
gan, the  rebel  guerrilla's  brother  (a  colonel  in  his  brother's  division)  ; 
sharp  fellow;  says  they  are  fighting  for  a  dissolution  of  the  Union 
and  are  going  to  have  it.  We  halted  for  the  night,  after  march- 
ing eighteen  miles,  on  the  bank  of  Doctor's  Fork,  one  mile  and  a 
half  from  Chaplin'.s  Hills  battle-field,  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  point  where  the  battle  commenced.  We  passed  one  hundred 
and  nine  paroled  Union  prisoners,  who  had  been  left  in  the  hos- 
pital at  Cumberland  Gap,  when  Morgan  left. 


ANOTHER  REUNION.  91 

"Doctor's  Fork,  at  east  side  of  Washington  County,  Thursday, 
October  16,  1862. —  Morning  foggy  and  cool.  Started  at  6.15 
o'clock  A.  M. ;  marched  on.  Looked  over  the  Perry ville  battle- 
field. The  heavy  skirmishing  had  commenced  one  mile  and  a  half 
south-west.  Saw  signs  of  musket-shooting  on  the  trees  and  fences 
along  the  road.  Occasionally  we  saw  where  limbs  had  been  taken 
off  trees  by  cannon-balls.  Looked  as  though  the  balls  had  been 
shot  a  long  distance.  Just  as  we  passed  over  a  hill  we  discovered 
trees  which  were  just  riddled  with  balls.  Saw  some  graves. 
Passed  on  down  a  slope,  and  on  rising  a  hill  on  the  other  side  we 
saw  plain  signs  of  the  battle ;  rebels  buried  alongside  a  stone 
fence.  We  passed  on,  and  beheld  the  battle-field  as  it  stretched 
out  along  the  gentle  slope  to  our  left.  The  road  we  are  on  was 
the  extreme  right,  and  near  where  our  73d  Regiment  stood.  The 
battle-field  was  about  five  miles  long,  and  the  heaviest  fighting 
was  near  the  extreme  left. 

"  Friday,  October  17th. — Morning  most  beautiful.  Started  at  six 
o'clock  for  Crab  Orchard.  Passed  through  Stanford,  county-seat  of 
Lincoln  County,  a  small  "secesh"  place.  Passed  on  through 
Walnut  Flats,  and  arrived  at  Crab  Orchard  at  five  o'clock  P.  M., 
a  distance  of  eighteen  miles;  good  march  for  the  day;  stood  it 
well.  Met  the  boys  at  their  camp  one  mile  and  a  half  from  the 
place ;  found  them  very  anxious  to  see  us.  Lieutenant  Hawes 
was  sick  and  Lieutenant  Davies  absent,  sick.  Never  felt  so  glad 
to  meet  a  crowd  of  boys ;  had  a  full  description  of  the  battle  they 
had  gone  through  before  we  slept. 

"  Saturday,  October  18,  1862. — A  very  pleasant  morning. 
Visited  the  125th  Regiment;  found  Holloway's  company  down 
with  the  'blues,'  wanting  to  go  home.  Returned  to  the  regi- 
ment ;  dress  parade  at  five  o'clock." 

Henry  A.  Castle,  of  Company  G,  has  made  a  con- 
densed statement  covering  the  period  of  his  service 
in  the  73d,  a  portion  of  which  we  incorporate  in  this 
chapter,  as  follows : 

"Before  the  1st  of  September,  1862,  we  were  hurried  off,  half 
organized  and  entirely  unarmed,  to  Louisville,  Kentucky.  How 
deficient  we  were  in  organization,  and  even  in  the  knowledge  of 
elementary  military  rules,  one  little  incident  will  testify.  At 
Springfield,  having  shown  some  proficiency  in  making  out  muster-in 


92  H.  A.  CASTLE'S  EXPERIENCE. 

rolls  and  consolidated  returns,  I  was  temporarily  detailed  as  a  clerk 
in  the  office  of  the  regimental  adjutant.  On  our  hasty  departure 
the  adjutant  remained  behind.  I,  a  private  soldier,  acted  as  adju- 
tant for  twenty  days,  signing  all  reports,  countersigning  all  orders, 
and  performing  all  his  functions.  No  one,  not  even  the  twenty 
lieutenants  eligible  to  promotion,  questioned  my  right.  At  last  a 
martinet  brigade  commander,  who  had  spent  a  week  carefully  in- 
structing me,  was  so  chagrined  when  he  accidentally  learned  he 
had  wasted  his  teachings  on  a  person  but  one  grade  in  rank  above 
an  army  mule,  that  he  at  once  ordered  our  colonel  to  detail  a  pair 
of  shoulder-straps  to  hold  intercourse  with  him  thereafter.  This 
in  turn  so  offended  my  own  eminently  civilian  sense  of  dignity, 
that  I  promptly  '  resigned '  my  clerkship,  absolutely  refused  to 
tell  Mr.  First  Lieutenant  what  to  do  in  the  office,  and  left  him  to 
flounder  until  the  adjutant  returned.  At  Louisville  we  were  to 
meet  Buell's  army,  and  confront  Bragg's,  on  their  historic  free-for- 
all  race  from  the  Tennessee  River  to  the  Ohio.  Between  that  date, 
September  1st,  and  the  1st  of  January  following,  I  went  through 
all  the  experiences  of  inaction  in  camp,  sickness  in  hospital,  toil- 
ful marches  through  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  to  Nashville  and 
Murfreeaboro,  battle,  and  wounds.  It  was  the  longest  and  hardest 
four  months  of  my  life,  and  yet  I  think  upon  the  whole,  the  most 
enjoyable. 

"Quickly  armed  and  slightly  drilled  at  Louisville,  we  were 
rushed  out  to  cover  General  Nelson's  disorderly  retreat  from 
Richmond,  Kentucky ;  then  hustled  off  to  Cincinnati  and  Coving- 
ton  to  help  repel  Kirby  Smith's  threatened  raid ;  then,  after  a  few 
days,  whirled  back  to  Louisville  to  form  a  part  of  Buell's  force, 
soon  mobilized  into  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland ;  then  forward 
in  pursuit  of  Bragg  to  Perryville  and  Crab  Orchard,  and  thence 
to  Bowling  Green  and  Nashville,  which  we  reached  early  in  No- 
vember. My  premonitions  as  to  sickness  were  speedily  realized.  I 
was  left  behind  in  Cincinnati,  in  a  hospital,  half  delirious  with  the 
aches  and  burnings  of  incipient  typhoid  fever.  This  was  happily 
averted,  but  not  without  two  or  three  weeks  of  illness  and  conva- 
lescence, during  which  I  sounded  all  the  depths  and  shoals  of  hos- 
pital life  in  its  worst  phases ;  that  is,  far  to  the  rear.  For  I  found 
as  a  summing  up  of  this  and  subsequent  experiences  elsewhere, 
that  the  sick  and  wounded  received  their  best  care  in  the  battle- 
field and  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  where  discipline  was  strict,  sur- 
geons skillful,  and  battle-mate  nurses  tender ;  whereas  north  of  the 


"  WHERE  THERE  IS  A  WILL,  THERE  IS  A  WAY.1'        93 

Ohio,  where  there  was  every  facility  for  better  treatment,  what 
with  drunken  and  brutal  doctors,  thieving  ward-masters,  and  care- 
less nurses,  the  situation  could  too  often  only  be  described  in  the 
muscular  Saxon  which  the  revised  edition  of  the  Scriptures  has 
prematurely  discarded. 

"I  wrestled  with  three  Cincinnati  hospitals,  and  was  finally 
hoisted  out  to  a  convalescent  camp  thirty  miles  further  north. 
Here  the  tedium  and  little  villainies  of  the  situation  were  seriously 
aggravated  by  the  knowledge  that  my  regiment  was  marching  into 
Kentucky ;  that  a  battle  was  imminent ;  that  there  was  danger  of 
the  Rebellion  being  put  down  before  I  had  succeeded  in  shooting 
anybody,  thus  defeating  the  whole  object  of  my  enlistment,  and 
leaving  me  an  object  for  the  other  boys  to  point  and  peck  at.  Ac- 
cordingly I  availed  myself  of  the  first  dark  night  to  do  a  very  repre- 
hensible thing.  With  two  or  three  comrades,  I  decamped  ;  rode  to 
Cincinnati  tramp-wise  on  a  freight-train,  and  to  Louisville  ditto  on 
a  steamboat ;  dodged  the  provost-guards  of  both  cities,  and  sev- 
eral guerrilla  bands  on  Kentucky  turnpikes ;  performed  feats  of 
strategy  enough  to  have  made  a  large  military  reputation  in  a 
little  affair  like  the  Mexican  War,  and,  after  tribulations  unutter- 
able, overtook  the  army,  alas !  too  late  to  help  whip  Bragg  in  the 
battle  of  Perry ville,  where  our  fellows  had  their  baptism  of  fire, 
and  where  not  to  have  been,  was,  for  the  ensuing  two  months,  a 

reproach  almost  too  bitter  to  be  borne." 

* 

The  tents  furnished  to  the  73d  were  the  Sibley 
tent — the  large  cone-shaped  tent,  with  tripod  and 
center-pole.  These  tents  were  issued  to  the  regiment 
while  at  Louisville.  Wall-tents  were  provided  for  the 
use  of  the  regimental  and  each  company  head-quarters, 
respectively.  Camp  and  garrison  equipage,  including 
tents,  camp-kettles,  and  mess-pans  were  issued  a  little 
before  we  drew  our  mule -teams  and  wagons.  The 
latter  were  necessary  to  enable  us  to  move  with  all 
stores  and  equipments.  It  seemed  to  be  a  question  at 
first  whether  it  was  the  business  of  the  mules  to  haul 
what  the  soldiers  could  not  carry,  or  the  business  of 
the  soldiers  to  carry  what  the  mules  did  not  haul.  The 


94 


GIVE  THE  MULES  FULL  CREDIT. 


later  experiences  in  the  army,  we  think,  proved  that 
the  soldier  had  the  best  "knack"  of  shifting  his  bur- 
den. The  mule  performed  an  herculean  task,  and 
accomplished  much  toward  the  suppression  of  the 
Rebellion.  Of  course,  he  had  to  be  drilled  and  disci- 
plined, be  prodded,  goaded,  and  persuaded;  but  he  got 
in  his  work  pretty  well  withal.  He  was  the  recipient 
of  many  lashes,  and  bore  many  stripes;  and  while  the 
ways  and  means  of  his  torture  and  maltreatment  were 
various,  he  had  only  one  mode  of  redress,  and  that 

often  ineffectual.  In 
his  resort  to  this  mode 
or  method  of  redress 
no  drill  would  have 
made  him  more  per- 
fect. He  was  an  adept 
in  that  line,  a  skilled 
artist ;  superior  almost, 
at  least  not  inferior,  to 
the  muskets  we  car- 
ried. It  was  a  very 

JACK'S  DIFFICULTY  WITH   THE   MULE.       hftrd    j^    one     thftt    ^ 

quired  much  patience  and  perseverance,  to  hitch  up 
and  break  six  raw  mules.  The  mule  can  hardly  be 
said  to  have  been  a  volunteer,  except  in  the  matter  of 
kicking.  He  had  to  be  drafted,  "impressed,"  and 
"conscripted,"  to  do  service.  The  breaking  of  six 
mule-teams  was  equal  almost  to  a  minstrel  show; 
attracted  as  much  attention;  provoked  as  much  merri- 
ment, and  imparted  more  knowledge.  With  a  little 
help,  an  occasional  lift,  and  push  from  the  soldiers,  the 
mule  performed  his  part,  which  was  by  no  means  incon- 
siderable, in  carrying  on  the  war. 


THE  "DARK  AND  BLOODY  GROUND."  95 


CHAPTER    III. 

FORWARD     MOVEMENT — HARD     MARCHING — WATER    SCARCE DUST 

ABUNDANT — REBELS  NUMEROUS — BATTLE  OF  CHAPLIN  HILLS — 
CRAB  ORCHARD — MARCH  TO  DANVILLE,  LEBANON,  BOWLING 
GREEN,  AND  MITCHELLSVILLE — CAMP  AT  NASHVILLE — ON  TO 
STONE  RIVER. 

DURING  the  month  of  September,  1862,  the  Confed- 
erate forces,  under  Bragg  and  Kirby  Smith,  roamed 
pretty  much  at  will  over  Kentucky.  At  Richmond, 
Munfordville,  and  other  points,  smaller  bodies  of  our 
troops  had  been  whipped  and  "gobbled  up"  by  them. 
The  resources  of  the  State  were  indiscriminately  levied 
upon  by  the  enemy ;  hogs,  cattle,  fowl,  farm  products, 
and  manufactured  articles  were  collected,  appropriated, 
and  carried  off.  When  Bragg's  immense  train  was 
heavily  loaded,  it  was  made  the  chief  business  of  his 
army  to  guard  it,  bring  it  up  to  some  point  where  its 
contents  would  be  doled  as  daily  bread  to  the  hungry 
Confederates.  The  spectacle  was  here  presented  of 
men  fighting  for  a  cause,  or  country,  for  nothing,  and 
boarding  themselves.  Strange  as  this  may  now  seem, 
it  was  equally  strange  that  the  rebel  hordes  were 
allowed  to  pass  beyond  the  limits  of  Kentucky  with 
their  booty.  While  traversing  the  State,  the  arms- 
bearing  or  neutral  citizens  were  appealed  to  by  Bragg 
to  join  his  army.  Women,  old  and  young,  were  ex- 
horted to  influence  their  husbands,  sons,  and  brothers  to 
flock  to  the  Confederate  standard.  The  sequel  shows 


96  CAMPAIGN  HARDSHIPS. 

that  the  husbands,  sons,  and  brothers  did  not  join  or 
flock  to  any  great  extent.  Kentucky  was  more 
"  neutral "  perhaps  than  was  suspected  by  either  party 
to  the  contest.  On  October  1,  1862,  the  Union  army, 
under  General  Buell,  was  put  in  motion,  and  started  in 
pursuit  of  Bragg's  army,  with  the  purpose,  it  would 
seem,  of  driving  it  from  Kentucky,  not  of  capturing  or 
destroying  it.  The  new  regiments  incorporated  into 
Buell's  army  swelled  its  numbers  to  nearly  one  hundred 
thousand  men.  The  73d  broke  camp,  and  moved  out 
with  the  brigade  and  division  at  nine  o'clock  the  morn- 
ing of  October  1st.  The  brigade  was  commanded  by 
Lieutenant-colonel  Liabold,  the  division  by  Brigadier- 
general  Philip  H.  Sheridan,  and  the  corps  by  General 
C.  C.  Gilbert. 

Delays  were  frequent  during  the  first  day's  march. 
Our  first  stop  was  in  the  street,  before  leaving  Louis- 
ville behind  us.  Getting  under  way  finally,  the  halts 
were  not  more  frequent  perhaps  than  prudence  would 
have  dictated  in  the  case  of  new  troops  not  yet  accus- 
tomed to  "foot"  traveling.  Being  on  the  right  of  the 
army,  our  column  moved  southward  on  the  pike,  bearing 
somewhat  to  the  left,  with  Bardstown,  the  county-seat 
of  Nelson  County,  as  our  first  destination,  that  being 
the  last  known  or  supposed  location  of  the  main  body 
of  the  "  chaps "  we  were  looking  for.  Two  or  three 
nights  and  days  passed.  The  turnpike  being  very  hard, 
notwithstanding  the  dust  carpet  an  inch  thick,  the 
weather  being  warm,  the  water  scarce  and  impure,  made 
the  march  extremely  wearisome.  The  result  was  fruit- 
ful of  sore  feet  and  aching  limbs,  and  a  unanimous  ver- 
dict that  "Jordan  am  a  hard  road  to  travel."  Other 
ailments  still  more  disabling  were  produced,  and  the 


STRAGGLING  AND  FORAGING.  97 

ambulances  were  in  demand.  Many  guns  and  accouter- 
ments  were  piled  on,  or  hanged  on,  the  wagons  in  the 
train  to  relieve  the  limping  and  foot-sore  soldiers,  and 
just  that  much  added  to  or  imposed  upon  the  invincible 
mules.  Many  of  the  men,  however,  were  proof  against 
the  hardships  of  the  march ;  came  off  well,  and  halted 
at  night,  professing  an  ability  as  well  as  a  willingness 
to  "jog  along"  for  an  hour  longer.  Straggling  was  in 
vogue  too,  though  sought  to  be  prohibited  by  orders. 
Straggling  to  the  rear,  as  a  rule,  was  of  necessity,  or 
involuntary ;  straggling  to  the  front,  or  either  side,  was 
generally  willful,  and  had  for  its  motive  forage,  curi- 
osity, or  adventure.  No  matter  how  plentiful  or  good 
Uncle  Sam's  rations  were,  or  how  punctually  issued, 
something  "  cabbaged "  or  foraged  from  a  farm-house 
or  a  barn-yard  was  a  little  bit  more  palatable,  and  par- 
taken of  with  greater  zest  and  relish.  Then,  telling 
just  how  the  "foraged"  provisions  were  obtained  ;  detail- 
ing the  several  steps  and  maneuvers  made  and  the 
schemes  and  tricks  resorted  to  in  obtaining  them,  op- 
erated as  an  appetizer,  and  served  as  sauce  while  de- 
vouring the  full-sized  meal.  The  advance  of  the  army 
overtaking  or  coming  in  contact  with  the  rebel  cavalry, 
and  engaging  and  driving  it,  perhaps  checked  the  strag- 
gling to  the  front,  and  foraging  to  some  extent. 

By  October  6th  we  had  marched  some  sixty-five  or 
seventy  miles,  had  left  Bardstown  some  distance  in  our 
rear,  and  passed  Springfield,  and  were  pushing,  not  only 
the  cavalry,  but  the  main  body  of  the  enemy's  infantry. 
According  to  some  able  critics  on  this  campaign  and  its 
management,  the  enemy  might  or  should  have  been 
pushed  harder,  "  driven  to  the  wall,"  or  captured, 
thereby  saving  or  preventing  the  battle  at  Murfreesboro. 

7 


98  INDICATIONS  OF  BATTLE. 

The  need  of  more  time  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  in 
which  to  get  his  large  supply-train  out  of  the  way,  or 
well  on  the  way,  and  the  need  or  desire  on  the  part  of 
our  army  for  better  water  and  more  of  it,  and  perhaps, 
also,  a  desire  to  deal  the  enemy  a  blow  more  or  less  se- 
vere, may  be  reckoned  among  the  causes,  if  not  consid- 
ered the  real,  immediate  objects  of  the  battle  at  Perry- 
ville.  Whether  a  collision  with  the  enemy,  at  Perry- 
ville  or  elsewhere,  was  a  part  of  General  Buell's  plan 
or  not,  such  collision  was  precipitated,  and  a  battle 
there  on  October  8,  1862,  was  the  result. 

There  were  a  few  instances  of  insubordination  in 
the  regiment  while  on  the  march,  just  prior  to  the  bat- 
tle of  Perry ville.  These  we  shall  not  particularize.  In 
one  case  we  have  in  mind,  a  non-commissioned  officer 
was  reduced  to  the  ranks ;  in  another  case,  a  private 
was  given  to  understand  that  his  offense  would  be  for- 
given if  he  carried  himself  creditably  through  the  ex- 
pected battle.  In  the  case  we  refer  to  the  forgiveness 
was  fully  earned. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  October  8th,  the  indications 
of  an  engagement  were  unmistakable.  Before  the  set- 
ting of  the  sun  we  were  to  undergo  a  new  trial,  be 
subjected  to  a  new  and  a  severe  test.  Feelings  stole 
over  us  that  can  be  better  imagined  than  described. 
Some  of  our  number  would  fall,  lose  their  lives  before 
the  day's  combat  should  close  ;  others  would  be  wounded 
and  maimed,  and  compelled  to  suffer  disabilities  from 
that  day  on  to  the  end  of  their  lives.  Who  will 
fall  ?  For  whom,  and  for  how  many,  will  this  day  be 
the  last  of  earth  ?  Who  will  be  maimed  and  wounded 
and  have  disabilities  inflicted  upon  them  ?  were  ques- 
tions which  arose,  and  kept  suggesting  themselves  in 


"BA P TISM  OF  FIRE"  A T  PEER Y VILLE.  99 

our  minds.  It  was  a  solemn  retrospect  and  review 
of  all  the  past  of  our  lives,  and,  if  possible,  a  still  more 
solemn  forecast  and  taking  of  chances  for  the  future. 
We  were  away  from  the  pike,  off  roads,  and  in  line 
of  battle  early  in  the  forenoon.  We  changed  position — 
moved  forward,  or  to  the  right  or  left,  as  the  movement 
of  troops  in  our  front,  or  to  our  right  or  left,  neces- 
sitated. At  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  the 
2d  and  15th  Missouri  Regiments  became  hotly  engaged, 
and  in  less  than  an  hour,  lost  from  forty  to  fifty  men, 
mostly  wounded.  The  44th  Illinois  and  our  own  reg- 
iment were  lying  in  easy  supporting  distance  while  the 
fighting  was  going  on.  After  this  there  was  an  ad- 
vance and  a  change  of  position  on  the  part  of  our 
brigade.  In  making  this  advance  we  passed  to  the 
right  of  the  pike,  and  for  a  time  occupied  a  position 
alongside  a  stone-fence.  Later  the  73d  was,  from 
some  cause,  advanced  in  line  of  battle — and  unsup- 
ported— across  an  open  field,  and  for  a  very  brief  time 
held  a  position  near  a  rebel  battery  preparing  to  open 
fire.  But  little  farther  off  were  the  rebel  infantry. 
Had  five  minutes  more  elapsed  before  the  hasty  with- 
drawal of  the  regiment  from  this  exposed  position,  the 
effect  would  have  been  disastrous  ;  one  new  regiment 
would  doubtless  have  been  "  gobbled  up,"  and  not  with- 
drawn at  all.  The  withdrawal  of  the  regiment  was 
not  a  moment  too  soon.  The  placing  of  the  regiment 
in  this  advanced  and  exposed  position  was  a  grievous 
blunder ;  at  least  we  have  never  heard,  or  heard  of,  any 
explanation  or  reasons  that  would  justify  or  excuse  the 
movement.  While  the  regiment  was  being  rapidly 
moved  to  its  proper  place  in  the  line  of  battle,  the  en- 
emy had  completed  his  dispositions  for  an  attack ;  this 


100  NARROW  ESCAPES  AND  LOSSES. 

done,  he  waited  not,  but  opened  immediately  with  his 
artillery,  which  was  effectively  replied  to  by  our  bat- 
teries. The  73d  was  assigned  a  position  in  the  front 
line  to  the  right  of  the  44th,  the  2d  and  15th  Mis- 
souri Regiments  being  posted  immediately  to  the  rear 
as  supports ;  the  order  of  the  forenoon,  as  to  our  bri- 
gade, being  thus  reversed.  Between  the  right  of  the 
44th  and  the  left  of  the  73d,  a  section  of  battery  was 
in  position ;  and  near  at  hand  also  was  the  125th  Illi- 
nois, ready  to  meet  any  emergency  that  might  unex- 
pectedly arise.  An  order  was  received  by  Colonel 
Jaquess,  directing  some  change  in  the  position  of  the 
73d.  The  battle  was  fairly  on,  and  this  order  being 
misconstrued — at  least  not  properly  executed — the  reg- 
iment was  mistakenly  conducted  several  yards  to  the 
rear  of  the  position  intended  for  it  to  occupy.  Under 
the  circumstances,  the  two  Missouri  regiments  inter- 
preted the  hasty  move  as  evidence  that  the  73d  was 
panic-stricken.  The  mistake  was  soon  rectified  ;  the 
73d  quickly  found  and  filled  its  proper  place,  much  to 
the  surprise  and  gratification  of  the  Missourians.  We 
had  been  slightly  engaged  just  before  the  mistake 
was  made. 

We  became  engaged  at  once,  and  actively  so;  the 
engagement  continued  with  but  slight,  if  any,  abate- 
ment for  nearly  two  hours.  The  losses  sustained  by 
the  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Perry ville  fell  principally 
on  the  companies  near  the  regimental  colors — Com- 
panies C,  I,  E,  and  H.  The  losses  were  one  killed 
and  ten  wounded  severely ;  of  these,  six  died  sooner  or 
later.  There  were  several  slight  wounds,  "grazes," 
and  "  close  calls."  Of  "  scares,"  we  probably  had  as 
many  as  any  regiment  ever  had  in  an  introductory  en- 


"WAR  MEANS  KILLING."  101 

gagement.  For  the  names  of  the  "  killed,"  "  wounded," 
and  "died  of  wounds,"  consult  the  roster,  in  chapter  i. 

The  day  was  nearing  its  close  when  the  battle 
ended,  and  we  rested  for  the  night  on  the  ground 
where  we  had  fought  our  first  battle.  The  conduct  of 
the  regiment  in  the  battle  was  heartily  applauded  by 
the  "  old  soldiers  "  of  our  brigade,  especially  by  the 
Missourians.  The  field  in  our  immediate  front,  and 
farther  away,  evidenced  the  fact  that  we  inflicted  on 
the  enemy  a  heavier  loss  than  we  suffered.  Prisoners 
captured  in  our  front  bore  testimony  to  the  same  fact. 
"Aim  low,"  "aim  low;"  "  war  means  killing,"  were  the 
precautions  given  by  the  colonel,  and  emphasized  and 
insisted  upon  by  the  company  commanders.  Hence  it 
was  that  with  our  "  kicking  "  muskets,  plenty  of  powder, 
one  large  ball,  and  three  small  buck-shot  at  each  fire  or 
discharge  we  did  good  execution. 

At  page  220  of  Volume  II,  of  "  The  American  Con- 
flict," we  find  the  following  description  of  that  part 
of  the  battle  of  Perryville  in  which  the  73d  actively 
engaged : 

"The  charging  rebels  now  struck  the  left  flank  of  Gilbert's 
Corps,  held  by  R.  B.  Mitchell  and  Sheridan,  which  had  been  for 
some  little  time  engaged  along  its  front.  The  key  of  its  position 
was  held,  and  of  course  well  held,  by  Brigadier-General  Philip  H. 
Sheridan,  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  morning,  but  had  driven  the 
enemy  back  out  of  sight,  after  a  short  but  sharp  contest,  and  had 
repulsed  another  assault  on  his  front ;  advancing  his  line  as  his  assail- 
ants retired,  and  then  turning  his  guns  upon  the  force  which  had  just 
driven  Rousseau's  right.  And  now  General  Mitchell  pushed  forward 
the  31st  Brigade,  Colonel  Carlin,  on  Sheridan's  right,  and  charged  at 
double  quick,  breaking,  and  driving  the  enemy  into  and  through 
Perryville,  to  the  protection  of  two  batteries  on  the  bluffs  beyond, 
capturing  fifteen  heavily-laden  ammunition  wagons,  two  caissons 
with  their  horses,  and  a  train-guard  of  one  hundred  and  forty ; 


102 


'GREELEY'S  AMERICAN  CONFLICT." 


retiring  amid  the  rebel  confusion  to  this  side  of  the  town,  and  thence 
opening  fire  with  his  battery  as  darkness  came  on.     .     .     . 

"  At  six  A.  M.  next  day  Gilbert's  Corps  advanced  by  order  to 
assail  the   rebel   front,  while   Crittenden   struck  hard  on  his  left 

flank ;  but  they  found  no 
enemy  to  dispute  their 
progress.  Bragg  had  de- 
camped during  the  night, 
marching  on  Harrods- 
burg,  where  he  was 
joined  by  Kirby  Smith 
and  Withers,  retreating 
thence  southward  by 
Bryantsville  to  Camp 
Dick  Robinson,  near 
Danville.  Bragg  ad- 
mits a  total  loss  in  this 
battle  of  not  less  than 
twenty-five  hundred,  in- 
cluding Brigadier-Gen- 
erals Wood,  Cleburne, 
and  Brown,  wounded; 
and  claims  to  have 
driven  us  two  miles, 
captured  fifteen  guns, 
four  hundred  prisoners, 
and  inflicted  a  total 
loss  of  four  thousand.  Buell's  report  admits  a  loss  on  our  part  of 
four  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty-eight — nine  hundred  and 
sixteen  killed,  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-three 
wounded,  and  four  hundred  and  eighty-nine  missing ;  but,  as  to 
guns,  he  concedes  a  loss  of  but  ten,  whereof  all  but  two  were  left 
on  the  field,  with  more  than  one  thousand  of  their  wounded,  by 
the  rebels." 

It  seems  that  Bnigg  either  got  all  the  fighting  he 
wanted,  or  was  more  intent  on  getting  away  with  his 
plunder.  Though  lightly  pressed,  his  haste  was  such 
that  he  left  over  one  thousand  of  his  sick  at  Har- 
rodsburg ;  also  twenty-five  thousand  barrels  of  pork 


LOOKING  OVER  THE  BATTLE-FIELD.  103 

and  other  supplies  at  different  points.  He  slipped  out 
of  Kentucky  by  way  of  Cumberland  Gap  into  East 
Tennessee,  destroying  on  the  way  many  valuable 
stores,  owing  to  the  roughness  of  mountain  roads  and 
the-  lack  of  transportation.  He  finally  went  into  winter- 
quarters  at  Murfreesboro,  no  doubt  expecting  to  be  left 
alone  for  a  longer  time  than  he  was  so  left. 

The  73d  moved  early,  on  October  9th,  with  the  bri- 
gade. We  did  not  get  entirely  away  from  the  battle- 
field for  a  day  or  two.  Opportunity  was  afforded  to 
view  the  field  and  to  seek  out  the  points  where  the 
fight  raged  the  fiercest.  At  these  points  many  of  the 
rebel  dead  were  still  lying  as  they  had  fallen.  Had 
they  been  disturbed  or  handled  at  all,  they  would 
probadly  have  been  buried.  Some  appalling  sights, 
were  looked  upon.  Many  who  beheld  them  never 
again  improved  a  similar  opportunity.  This  was  enough 
in  that  line. 

Missing  sadly  those  of  our  number  who  had  been 
taken  from  our  ranks  by  the  chances  of  battle,  we  fol- 
lowed on,  filling  the  place  assigned  us  in  the  line  of 
march,  until  we  reached  Crab  Orchard.  While  waiting 
at  Crab  Orchard  a  number  of  the  regiment  who  had 
been  left  at  Louisville  and  other  points,  came  up.  The 
entry  in  Captain  Kyger's  diary,  under  date  of  October 
16th,  discloses  this  fact:  "Marched  on  through  Danville, 
and  camped  three  miles  beyond.  Met  H.  A.  Castle, 
coming  to  conduct  us  to  the  regiment." 

The  stop  here  was  not  solely  for  the  purpose  of 
affording  rest  to  the  soldiers,  but  partly  to  await 
developments,  and  learn  the  direction  we  should  take 
when  we  next  broke  camp. 

The    country   about   Crab    Orchard    was   hilly  and 


104       P  URS  UIT  S TOPPED—  CHA NGE  OF  DIREC TION. 

broken,  and  farther  on,  in  the  direction  of  Cumberland 
Gap,  it  was  still  more  rough  and  mountainous.  As  it 
turned  out,  however,  we  proceeded  no  farther  in  that 
direction. 

Sunday,  October  19th,  was  the  last  day  of  our  stop 
at  Crab  Orchard.  The  day  was  a  pleasant  one,  and 
the  regiment  appeared  on  dress  parade  in  the  afternoon. 
The  next  morning  was  a  bright  one,  with  some  frost. 
Marching  orders  were  received  early,  and  by  seven 
o'clock  we  were  ready  to  move,  not  knowing  where  we 
were  going.  Getting  started,  we  marched  quite  sixteen 
miles,  and  camped  on  Clark's  Creek.  On  the  morning 
of  October  21st  we  waited  until  all  the  troops  and 
trains  passed  us.  Being  assigned  to  do  duty  as  rear- 
guard, we  got  under  way  at  ten  o'clock,  traveled 
slowly,  and  reached  Danville,  the  county-seat  of  Boyle 
County.  Resumed  the  march,  taking  the  pike  leading 
south-west,  to  Lebanon,  the  county-seat  of  Marion 
County.  We  found  it  hard  work  to  march  sixteen 
miles  as  rear-guard.  We  went  into  camp  at  Rochester 
Springs,  in  Boyle  County,  at  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  The 
train  was  nearly  seven  miles  in  length,  when  stretched 
out  and  moving  along  the  pike.  Many  of  our  men 
struggled  some  distance  in  advance  of  the  regiment. 
The  numerous  and  sometimes  tedious  delays,  occa- 
sioned by  the  snail-like  movement  of  the  train,  were 
annoying,  and  exhausted  the  patience  of  some  of  the 
boys.  On  reaching  Rochester  Springs,  we  had  marched 
one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  miles  since  leaving  Lou- 
isville. 

We  marched  twenty  miles  on  Wednesday,  October 
22d.  In  the  course  of  the  day  we  left  the  pike,  and 
marched  across  to  the  Rolling  Fork  of  Salt  River. 


ON  THE-  MARCH— SOME  WINTER  WEATHER.         105 

Located  a  camp  on  the  south  bank  of  a  beautiful 
stream,  but  had  a  scant  supper,  on  account  of  the  fail- 
ure of  train  to  come  up.  At  this  camp,  which  was 
seven  miles  from  Lebanon,  we  remained  until  October 
25th.  On  October  -24th  we  had  battalion  drill,  and 
drew  our  overcoats. 

Started  at  6.30,  on  the  morning  of  October  25th,  on 
the  road  to  New  Market,  seven  miles  south-west  of 
Lebanon,  and  nine  miles  from  our  starting-point.  We 
arrived  at  New  Market,  and  went  into  camp  in  the 
vicinity  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  During  the  day  we  had 
passed  through  an  unproductive  country  ;  the  surface 
was  hilly  and  rocky,  covered  with  " jack-oak"  timber  and 
some  chestnut.  Rain  fell  during  the  afternoon,  but 
changed  to  snow  at  night.  The  snow  was  quite  three 
inches  deep  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  October  26th. 
Being  much  cooler,  on  account  of  the  snow,  it  was  found 
that  by  keeping  a  mess-pan  well  filled  with  live  coals, 
sitting  in  a  tent,  much  comfort  could  be  obtained.  The 
day  was  one  of  general  discomfort ;  however,  there  was 
much  work  done  by  the  officers,  although  it  was  Sunday. 
Lists  were  prepared  in  each  company  of  the  regiment, 
for  roll-call  purposes,  and  to  make  out  morning  reports 
from.  One  cause  of  disappointment  was  the  failure  to 
receive  a  mail  since  leaving  Crab  Orchard.  At  nine 
o'clock  P.  M.,  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  at  six  o'clock 
to-morrow  morning  were  sent  around.  .Rations  were 
immediately  drawn,  preparatory  to  the  march.  The 
night  was  a  cold  one,  and  corn-stalks  were  brought  into 
use,  to  afford  us  protection  against  the  severity  of  the 
weather.  On  the  morning  of  October  27th  the  ground 
was  frozen  to  the  depth  of  an  inch.  At  six  o'clock 
A.  M.  we  marched  out  on  the  Lebanon  and  Glasgow 


106  EARLY  RISING  FREQUENTLY  REQUIRED. 

turnpike,  passing  in  a  south-west  direction,  not  very  far 
from  the  Muldraugh  Hills,  a  high  range,  which  traverse 
this  part  of  Kentucky.  We  soon  passed  into  Taylor 
County,  going  through  a  hard-looking,  deserted  town, 
named  Saloma.  Our  march  was  continued,  and  at  night 
we  camped  in  Green  County,  all  very  nearly  tired  out. 
Marched  at  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  28th,  fol- 
lowing the  road  leading  to  Glasgow  Junction.  We 
passed  through  a  hilly  and  an  unproductive  region,  and 
one  town  called  Summerville.  In  the  Green  River 
bottom  we  came  up  with  other  troops,  including  the 
21st,  25th,  and  125th  Illinois  Regiments,  and  also  Gen- 
eral Sill's  Division.  By  this  date  the  opinion  was 
pretty  general  that  our  destination  was  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee. When  at  New  Market  we  were  changed,  or 
transferred,  from  the  corps  we  had  been  in  (Gilbert's 
14th)  to  McCook's  20th  Corps.  Our  brigade  remained 
the  same  as  before,  however.  We  camped  on  bank  of 
Barren  River,  the  night  of  October  28th.  Next  morn- 
ing we  were  up  soon  after  three  o'clock,  having  orders 
to  march  at  five  o'clock.  On  this  date  a  heavy  mail 
was  received,  the  first  for  many  days. 

On  the  29th  we  left  camp  at  sunrise,  marched  twen- 
ty-two miles,  the  longest  march  made  to  date,  and 
camped  for  the  night  within  five  miles  of  the  Mammoth 
Cave.  On  this  day's  march,  many  of  the  men,  including 
some  line  officers,  were  compelled  to  drop  out  and  fall 
behind.  Some  of  the  boys  who  had  been  straggling  in 
advance  were  overtaken. 

We  remained  at  the  camp  of  October  29th  until  the 
morning  of  the  31st.  This  camp  was  the  same  as  that 
occupied  by  Bragg's  army,  when  advancing  northward, 
making  its  raid.  October  30th,  our  knapsacks  and  some 


GENERAL  ROSECRANS  ASSUMES  COMMAND.         107 

other  equipage  came  up  from  Louisville.  Many  of  the 
men  took  the  opportunity  and  risk  of  visiting  the  Mam- 
moth Cave. 

At  night,  orders  were  received  requiring  us  to  mus- 
ter at  6.30  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  march  at 
eight  o'clock.  This  was  the  date  of  the  assumption 
by  General  Rosecrans  of  the  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland.  While  at  this  camp  we  were 
two  miles  from  Glasgow  Junction.  On  the  morning  of 
the  31st  we  mustered,  in  accordance  with  orders,  but 
did  not  march  until  nine  o'clock.  We  moved  out  on 
the  road  toward  Bowling  Green,  our  regiment  in 
rear  of  brigade.  We  passed  through  a  better  farm- 
ing country  than  we  had  for  several  days.  The  farms 
looked  as  though  they  had  been  well  attended  to  before 
the  war,  but  neglected  later.  Pools  of  nice,  clear  water 
were  found  in  this  part  of  Kentucky.  Many  of  these 
pools,  or  basins,  were  of  regular  formation,  the  rock 
walls,  in  many  cases,  being  artificially  constructed.  We 
marched  seventeen  miles  the  last  day  of  October,  and 
went  into  camp  ten  miles  from  Bowling  Green. 

We  started  on  the  march  at  eight  o'clock,  the  morn- 
ing of  November  1,  1862,  our  2d  Brigade  in  front  of 
division.  We  found  the  country  improved  in  appear- 
ance as  we  neared  Bowling  Green.  On  our  route  no 
demonstrations  of  loyalty  on  the  part  of  citizens  were 
anywhere  to  be  seen.  We  reached  Bowling  Green 
shortly  after  noon,  crossed  Big  Barren  River,  went  down 
on  the  Bowling  Green  side,  and  went  into  camp  near  the 
old  rebel  fortifications  built  the  previous  winter.  Some 
signs  of  ingenuity  were  visible  on  examining  these  forti- 
fications, but  they  were,  not  regarded  as  being  very 
strong.  We  had  marched  twelve  miles  to  reach  this 


108  PECULIARITIES  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

camp,  since  leaving  our  last  one,  making  two  hundred  and 
forty-five  miles  we  had  traveled  since  leaving  Louisville. 

November  2d  and  3d,  1862,  we  remained  in  camp. 
Pay-rolls  were  made  out,  and  the  time  was  taken  up  in 
making  and  receiving  calls  on  and  from  acquaint- 
ances in  other  regiments.  Many  who  were  sick  and 
unable  to  march,  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  which  had 
been  established  in  Bowling  Green.  This  town  had 
nearly,  if  not  quite,  five  thousand  inhabitants  in  its 
better  days.  Frank  Blue,  who  formerly  lived  in  George- 
town, Illinois,  and  was  acquainted  with  many  members 
of  Company  C,  was  unexpectedly  met  at  Bowling  Green. 
Blue  was  serving  as  a  member  of  General  Rosecrans's 
detective  force. 

We  marched  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  No- 
vember 4th.  We  moved  out  on  the  pike  leading  to  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee.  One  mile  from  Bowling  Green  we 
came  to  Lost  River,  which,  to  all  appearances,  is  an 
immense  spring  or  body  of  water,  which  at  this  point 
bursts  from  its  rocky,  subterranean  confines,  bubbles 
forth,  and  springs  to  the  surface  and  flows  in  a  strong, 
visible  current  for  fifty  yards  or  more  from  where  it 
rises,  and  then  sinks  away  and  is  again  lost  to  sight. 
Continuing  our  march,  we  passed  through  a  country, 
first  somewhat  rough  and  barren,  then  becoming  more 
level  and  productive.  Good  two-story  farm-houses 
were  occasionally  to  be  seen,  but  no  indications  of  loy- 
alty to  the  Union  were  anywhere  shown  by  the  cit- 
izens. After  marching  fifteen  miles,  we  went  into 
camp  at  four  o'clock  P.  M. 

Early  on  this  date,  it  being  the  date  of  the  biennial 
or  Congressional  elections,  the  sense  or  political  prefer- 
ences of  the  men  of  our  regiment  were  ascertained. 


PRESIDENT  LINCOLN  INDORSED.  109 

The  vote  stood  nearly  ten  to  one  in  favor  of  the  Union 
ticket.  Here  Colonel  Schaefer  assumed  command  of 
the  brigade. 

On  the  morning  of  November  5th  we  started  on  the 
march  at  6.30  o'clock.  We  moved  through  a  fine  farm- 
ing country,  and  many  little  Union  flags  were  displayed 
in  front  of  houses  as  we  passed.  We  crossed  the  line 
between  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  at  noon,  and  as  we 
did  so,  the  soldiers  of  the  73d  raised  the  "  yell "  for 
old  Tennessee.  The  last  town  in  Kentucky  that  we 
passed  through  was  Franklin,  the  county-seat  of  Simp- 
son County,  and  the  first  town  in  Tennessee  we  marched 
through  was  Mitchellsville,  a  small  town  in  Sumner 
County,  four  hundred  yards,  or  a  little  more,  south  of 
the  State  line.  After  penetrating  two  miles  into  Ten- 
nessee, we  came  to  a  point  where  the  woods  were  on 
fire,  and  fences  and  barns  were  being  burned.  The 
fire  raged  through  the  woods  in  a  fearful  manner,  and 
just  at  this  point  we  were  almost  suffocated  with  smoke 
and  dust ;  two  regiments  of  cavalry  passed  and  kicked 
up  the  dust  in  great  clouds,  regardless  of  our  comfort. 
It  is  supposed  the  fire  was  started  by  a  squad  of  rebel 
cavalry  in  order  to  annoy  and  hinder  our  advance. 

After  completing  the  day's  march  of  about  seven- 
teen miles,  we  went  into  camp  near  a  small  stream  of 
water.  We  received  confirmation  of  the  truth  of  the 
report  of  the  blowing  up  of  a  tunnel  on  the  railroad, 
twenty-nine  miles  from  Bowling  Green,  by  Morgan's 
marauding  band,  on  the  night  of  November  3d.  This 
portion  of  Tennessee  was  unattractive  ;  the  houses  were 
nearly  all  old-fashioned,  and  built  of  logs,  and  in  bad 
repair.  The  soil  was  thin  and  the  timber  a  scrubby 
"jack-oak." 


110  THE  MARCH  IN  TENNESSEE. 

At  6.30  A.  M.,  November  6th,  our  march  was  re- 
sumed. We  made  good  time,  and  passed  through  two 
or  three  small,  almost  deserted,  towns ;  and  some  of  the 
farm-houses  were  tenantless  also.  There  were  some  ap- 
prehensions of  an  attack  on  our  advance  before  the  day 
should  close.  These  arose  from  the  credited  reports  of 
the  day  before,  and  proved  ill-founded.  In  the  after- 
noon we  passed  through  another  deserted  town  named 
Goodlettsville.  Seven  persons,  white  and  colored,  were 
all  that  could  be  seen  in  the  village.  Our  men  were 
very  tired,  but  we  passed  on  rapidly,  and  by  nightfall 
we  ended  a  twenty-three  miles  march,  and  camped 
within  ten  miles  of  Nashville. 

Late  in  the  day  we  saw  a  woman  who  had  been 
placed  under  guard.  As  she  marched  along,  she  would 
exclaim,  "  Save  my  husband  !"  "  Save  my  husband  !"  It 
was  ascertained  that  this  woman  was  the  wife  of  a  rebel 
spy,  who  belonged  to  Morgan's  guerrillas.  At  the 
general  head-quarters  this  woman  pleaded,  on  her  knees, 
for  the  safety  of  her  husband,  and  claimed  he  was  a 
Union  man.  Very  likely. 

Near  Tyree  Springs,  General  Woodruff's  division 
was'  attacked  by  a  small  body  of  the  enemy.  The 
trouble  was  soon  over ;  the  rebels  withdrew,  after  the 
killing  of  one  of  their  number.  Of  our  force  only  a 
few  men  were  engaged,  and  no  loss  was  suffered  beyond 
that  occasioned  by  slight  wounds. 

At  nine  A.  M.,  November  7th,  we  moved  out  on  the 

wav  to  Nashville,  but   soon  a  halt  was  called  to  allow 

./ 

a  section  of  a  wagon-train  to  pass ;  then  we  moved  on, 
the  remainder  of  the  train  having  been  halted.  This 
wagon-train  was  nearly  two  miles  in  length,  and  was 
on  its  way  to  Bowling  Green  to  get  rations,  the  railroad 


NASHVILLE— INSPECTION  AND  REVIEW.  Ill 

being  out  of  repair,  owing  to  the  damages  done  to 
it  by  squads  of  raiding  rebels.  We  arrived  near  Nash- 
ville at  four  P.  M.,  and  went  into  camp  in  a  fine  body 
of  timber  lying  east  of  the  Cumberland  River.  Snow 
fell  during  the  day,  but  changed  to  drizzling  rain.  We 
learned  that  the  enemy  had  made  three  attacks  on  the 
city  since  August.  On  Saturday,  November  8th,  some 
more  work  was  done  on  the  pay-rolls  of  the  several 
companies  of  the  regiment. 

On  Tuesday,  November  llth,  the  city  of  Nashville 
was  visited  by  a  number  of  men  of  the  regiment. 
Some  returned  to  camp  much  disappointed  in  the 
appearance  of  the  city.  Nothing  but  the  State-house 
seemed  to  meet  the  expectations  which  too  highly 
colored  and  exaggerate  1  descriptions  had  raised  in  the 
minds  of  the  visitors.  The  State-house,  however,  com- 
pensated in  part  for  deficiencies  in  other  respects  about 
the  city.  It  is  located  on  a  prominent  elevation,  and 
constructed  of  magnificent  gray  limestone ;  has  a  large 
representatives'  hall,  a  senate  hall,  and  library-room, 
besides  many  offices  and  smaller  rooms  on  two  floors. 
It  is  visible  from  distant  prominent  points,  and  also 
affords  a  fine  view  of  the  city  of  Nashville  and  the  sur- 
rounding country. 

Wednesday,  November  12th,  an  inspection  of  arms 
was  had  in  our  camp.  The  inspection  was  made  by  a 
captain  of  the  24th  Wisconsin.  Arms  were  not  found 
in  first-class  condition ;  they  were  in  better  condition 
for  service,  perhaps,  than  they  appeared  to  be.  Next 
day  the  army  was  reviewed  by  General  Rosecrans. 
This  review  afforded  us  an  opportunity  of  seeing  other 
general  officers,  including  McCook,  Sheridan,  and 
Wood.  Rosecrans  informed  us  how  to  proceed  in 


112  CAMP  AT  EDGEFIELD. 

obtaining  what  might  be  needed  in  any  line  of  supplies. 
He  said  :  "First,  bore  your  captains;  and  if  they  don't 
get  you  what  you  need,  then  bore  your  colonels ;  and  if 
your  colonels  do  n  t  attend  to  it,  then  bore  your  generals, 
brigade  and  division  commanders ;  and  if  they  neglect 
you,  why  then  come  and  bore  me,  and  I'll  see  to  it  at 
once." 

After  this  inspection  and  review,  nothing  unusual 
occurred  in  the  experience  of  the  regiment  until 
November  22d.  The  intervening  time  was  spent  in 
doing  camp  and  picket  duty,  in  drilling,  and  in  draw- 
ing, cooking,  and  devouring  rations.  Sickness  prevailed 
to  some  extent,  and  the  regiment  was  represented  in 
the  hospitals.  The  domestic  and  social  cares  and  duties 
incident  to  camp-living  had  to  be  looked  after  and 
attended  to,  which,  with  all  the  aforementioned  duties, 
came  near  occupying  the  time.  What  time  was  left 
over  unoccupied  after  all  these  other  matters  had 
received  due  attention,  was  spent  in  talking  war  and 
politics.  Of  course,  none  of  the  "  Preacher  Regiment " 
played  cards. 

On  Saturday,  November  22d,  we  received  orders  to 
move.  Accordingly  we  broke  camp  at  Edgefield,  where 
we  had  been  encamped  since  November  7th,  and 
moved  seven  miles  south-east  of  the  city  of  Nashville, 
and  located  a  camp  in  a  splendid  grove,  near  a  large 
spring  of  good  water.  The  new  camp  was  named  "  Mill 
Creek."  The  camp  was  marked  out,  and  tents  and 
quarters  put  up  and  arranged  with  a  view  to  our 
remaining  several  weeks. 

On  November  24th,  Doctor  A.  M.  C.  Hawes,  of 
Georgetown,  Illinois,  visited  the  regiment,  to  visit  his 
son,  sick  in  the  hospital,  being  his  special  errand.  The 


PICKET  D  UT  Y—EXAMINA  TIONS  AND  DRILL.         113 

doctor,  however,  dealt  out  a  good  deal  of  medicine  to 
ailing  soldiers  for  whom  he  had  done  like  work  while 
they  were  yet  citizens.  Other  citizens  of  Illinois  also 
visited  us  on  similar  errands.  About  this  time  quite  a 
number  of  resignations  among  the  officers  occurred,  and 
an  equal  number  of  promotions.  The  roster,  found  in 
chapter  i,  shows  these  and  all  other  similar  changes  that 
took  place  during  the  term  of  service  of  the  regiment. 

The  night  of  November  27th,  those  of  the  regiment 
who  were  on  picket  had  their  first  glimpse  of  rebel 
camp-fires,  only  three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant;  the 
rebel  pickets,  as  a  matter  of  course,  being  posted  still 
nearer,  and  visible  by  daylight. 

November  30th,  an  examination  of  quarters  and  the 
camp  was  had,  and  both  found  in  good  order  and  con- 
dition. Early  in  December,  the  field  and  line  officers 
of  the  regiment  were  subjected  to  a  rigid  examination 
by  officers  of  higher  authority  and  rank.  Various 
rumors  were  set  afloat  as  to  the  outcome  of  this  exami- 
nation. The  crop  of  resignations  may  have  been  slightly 
augmented  by  it. 

On  Tuesday,  December  2d,  the  companies  of  the 
regiment  were  drilled  by  officers  of  the  2d  Missouri 
Regiment.  We  have  authority  for  saying  that  we  dis- 
liked the  drill  as  we  were  put  through  it  by  these 
officers.  These  officers,  probably,  either  disliked  the 
duty  they  had  been  assigned  to  do,  or  were  disposed  to 
make  use  of  their  opportunity  to  "  pop  us  through 
pretty  lively." 

December  3d,  the  regiment,  or  a  portion  of  it,  was 
again  on  picket.  The  bayonets  of  the  rebels,  glistening 
in  the  sunshine,  could  be  distinctly  seen  from  the  point 
where  we  were  posted.  Seven  shots  were  fired  by  the 

8 


114  UP  EA  RL  Y— LINES  OF  BA  TTLE. 

rebel  pickets  at  Company  A.  The  fire  being  returned 
promptly,  the  rebels  withdrew  to  cover.  None  of  our 
men  were  hurt. 

December  7th,  our  arms  were  again  inspected  and 
found  in  better  condition  than  before.  Same  day  orders 
were  received  to  have  three  days'  rations  in  our 'haver- 
sacks and  await  further  orders. 

December  8th,  we  were  fully  expecting  to  start  on  a 
forward  movement  or  to  be  attacked  by  the  enemy. 
We  were  called  up  at  five  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
December  9th,  and  required  to  put  on  our  cartridge- 
boxes,  and  keep  them  on  until  eight  o'clock.  We  went 
on  picket,  however,  at  seven  o'clock,  at  the  same  point 
where  we  had  previously  stood.  We  had  instructions 
to  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  enemy. 

At  eleven  o'clock  we  distinctly  heard  artillery  firing 
to  the  north-west  of  our  position  in  front  of  Davis's 
division,  which  continued  about  an  hour.  At  fifteen 
minutes  to  one  o'clock  our  pickets  were  fired  on  by  the 
enemy's  cavalry  in  many  places  along  the  line  ;  and  one 
piece  of  artillery  was  planted  on  the  pike  in  our  front, 
which  threw  two  shells  in  our  direction.  We  were 
ordered  to  form  line  of  battle ;  we  did  so,  and  remained 
in  position  about  fifteen  minutes,  until  ordered  to 
retreat  or  take  shelter  in  the  edge  of  a  heavy  timber 
lying  westward  from  our  first  position.  A  dash  by  the 
rebel  cavalry  was  expected.  We  formed  in  line  of 
battle  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  but  were  soon  ordered 
to  a  point  nearer  camp,  where  we  formed  the  third 
time.  At  3.30  o'clock  we  formed  in  line  of  battle  the 
fourth  and  last  time  for  the  day,  in  a  position  which 
had  been  selected  by  our  colonel  and  pronounced  by 
the  general  to  be  a  good  one.  At  five  o'clock  we 


"DOG-TENTS"  AWARDED  A  COLD  RECEPTION.      115 

resumed  our  position  of  the  morning,  and  held  it  until 
relieved  at  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  December 
10th.  On  the  10th  the  same  sort  of  demonstrations 
were  made  as  on  the  previous  day. 

On  the  llth  we  were  under  orders  to  be  ready  to 
meet  the  enemy  on  short  notice.  All  quiet,  however, 
during  the  day  ;  no  attack  was  made,  and  it  was  thought 
the  enemy  showed  signs  of  falling  back.  On  the  12th 
our  forage-train  went  out  four  miles  to  the  front ;  those 
in  charge  of  it,  on  returning  to  camp,  reported  that  the 
rebels  had  retreated.  The  report  was  undoubtedly 
correct,  or  the  train  would  not  have  returned  without 
an  engagement  or  "set  to"  of  some  kind,  between  the 
train-guard  and  the  enemy. 

December  12th  was  a  notable  and  historic  day  in 
the  experience  of  our  regiment.  Disgust,  evident  and 
unconcealed  disgust,  was  created  all  through  the  ranks 
that  day,  by  the  issuing  from  the  regimental  quarter- 
master's department  of  the  "  shelter-tent,"  or  "  dog- 
tent,"  or  "purp-tent."  Well,  the  estimation  in  which 
the  "  dog-tent "  was  first  held  by  our  soldiers  was  such 
that,  if  it  changed  at  all,  it  would  modify  and  soften,  and 
become  less  severe  in  kind.  Poverty  and  meagerness 
of  language  was  about  reached  or  discovered,  when  the 
boys  quit  making  drafts  upon  it  to  find  words  with 
which  to  express  their  contempt  for  the  little  "  dog-tent/' 

On  December  10th,  Major  Presson,  who  had  been 
wounded  at  Perry ville,  arrived  in  camp.  On  the  12th, 
we  had  battalion-drill,  conducted  by  the  major.  In  the 
matter  of  drill,  the  regiment  seemed  to  awaken  and 
take  on  new  life  under  the  skillful  handling  which  the 
major  was  able  to  give  it.  Another  good  thing  the 
major  did,  soon  after  his  return,  was  the  establishment 


116 


EXPERIENCES  OF  AN  ENLISTED  MAN. 


of  a  school  of  instruction  for  the  commissioned  officers 
of  the  regiment.  This  school,  though  continued  but  a 
short  time,  resulted  in  permanent  good.  From  Decem- 
ber 12th  to  24th,  the  daily  life  and  experience  of  the 
regiment  was  but  a  repetition  of  that  gone  through 
before  that  time  at  Camp  Mill  Creek. 

From  a  paper,  entitled  "  The  Experiences  of  an  En- 
listed Man,"  prepared  by  Henry  A.  Castle,  who  became 
sergeant-major  of  the  73d,  and  served  as  such  until  he 
was  wounded  and  disabled  in  tfye  battle  of  Stone  River, 


CAPITOL   BUILDING,   NASHVJI,I,E. 

we  copy  that  portion  which  relates  to  matters  pertaining 
to  the  regiment,  while  it  was  near  Nashville,  not  already 
treated  upon : 

"  We  reached  Nashville  early  in  November,  relieving  the  be- 
leaguered garrison  under  Negley  and  Palmer,  and  within  a  few 
days  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  now  commanded  by  General 
Rosecrans,  was  concentrated  in  and  around  that  city.  Nashville 
was  amply  protected  by  frowning  fortifications  on  the  surrounding 
heights.  Her  beautiful  white  marble  capitol,  on  so  lofty  an  em- 
inence that  sometimes,  seen  from  a  distance,  it  seemed  to  swing 
in  the  clouds,  .was  a  sight  ever  to  be  remembered.  We  were 
finally  encamped  south  of  the  city,  and  for  the  first  time  in  our 


FROM  ONE  EXTREME  TO  ANOTHER.  117 

experience,  really  settled  down  to  habitual  camp  routine,  devoting 
six  weeks  to  the  long-deferred  requisites  of  organization,  drill,  and 
discipline.  All  the  lights  and  shadows  of  camp-life  there  passed 
over  us.  Our  veterans  of  one  long  campaign  and  one  bloody 
battle  were  yet  raw  recruits  in  most  that  pertained  to  mili- 
tary life.  They  had  much  to  learn,  and  more  to  suffer.  They 
got  up  the  harmless,  necessary  mutiny  against  shelter-tents  and 
spoiled  meats.  Many  of  them  had  the  small-pox,  and  a  consider- 
able majority  of  them  had  the  measles — the  latter  epidemic  caus- 
ing more  deaths  and  disabilities  than  battle,  march,  and  dysentery 
combined  had  been  able  to  effect. 

"  Drills,  almost  incessant ;  grand  guard  duty  at  least  bi-weekly  ; 
scouting,  foraging  raids,  and  sporadic  expeditions,  no  whither 
that  any  fellow  could  find  out, — left  little  time  for  rusting  or  rest- 
ing, but  soon  made  soldiers  of  the  farmer-boys,  clerks,  and  students. 
We  became  hardened,  roughened,  and  toughened  physically.  As 
winter  approached,  as  the  hardships  increased,  and  our  comforts  dis- 
appeared, a  squad  of  us  would  refer  frequently  to  our  luxurious 
entry  into  the  service.  We  had  spent  the  night  before  enlisting  at 
the  Chenery  House,  the  leading  hotel  at  Springfield.  We,  at  the 
time,  thought  the  transition  sudden,  from  the  hair-mattresses  of 
the  hotel  to  the  bare  plank  of  a  floored  tent  at  Camp  Butler. 
But  now,  alas !  even  a  dry  plank,  or  a  tent  larger  than  a  chicken- 
coop,  was  a  dimly  recollected  luxury.  Mud  and  snow,  occasionally 
qualified  by  a  rubber-blanket  and  a  few  pine-boughs,  formed  our 
nightly  couch,  and  the  weeping,  cloud-curtained  heavens  our 
most  familiar  canopy." 

The  paper  we  have  quoted  from  was  read  before 
the  Minnesota  Commandery  of  the  Loyal  Legion  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1887,  by  Comrade  Castle.  Farther  along  in  this 
history  we  shall  take  occasion  to  draw  upon  this  paper 
for  additional  facts  and  descriptions.  The  losses  accru- 
ing to  the  regiment,  from  disability  and  death,  resulting 
from  the  diseases  which  prevailed  during  its  stay  at 
Mill  Creek,  will  sufficiently  appear  on  examining  the 
roster,  found  in  chapter  i. 

At  four  o'clock  A.  M.,  December  24,  1862,  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  pack  up  and  be  ready  to  march  at  a 


118  CHRISTMAS,  1862— FOR  WA RD  MO  VEMENT. 

moment's  warning.  The  order  was  complied  with  at 
an  early  hour.  The  wagons  were  loaded  with  such 
camp  equipage  and  other  stores  as  could  be  dispensed 
with  on  the  march.  This  done,  there  was  enough  left 
for  the  soldiers  to  carry.  In  case  of  an  attack  by 
either  army,  the  train,  accompanied  by  the  invalids, 
was  to  go  nearer  the  city.  At  eleven  o'clock  we  were 
called  into  line  of  battle,  forming  about  one  hundred 
yards  from  our  old  camp.  We  remained  in  line  until 
near  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  were  then  marched  back 
to  camp  to  spend  the  night — Christmas  eve.  The 
camp-fires  were  numerous,  and  they  burned  brightly. 
Much  talk  was  indulged  in,  and  the  changed  conditions 
and  surroundings,  as  well  as  the  changed  prospects,  of 
this  Christmas  for  us,  from  those  of  the  last  one,  were 
fully  dwelt  upon. 

We  were  up  early  on  Christmas  morning,  and  re- 
ceived orders  to  pitch  tents.  In  obeying  this  order, 
more  care  was  taken  than  would  have  been  had  we 
known  it  was  only  for  one  day  and  night  that  we  did  so. 

On  the  morning  of  December  26th,  at  five  o'clock, 
we  received  orders  to  march  at  seven  o'clock.  We 
moved  out  at  eight  o'clock,  the  73d  in  rear  of  the 
brigade.  Nearly  all  the  forces  in  front  of  Nashville 
participated  in  this  forward  movement.  We  moved  on 
the  pike,  in  the  direction  of  Nolensville.  At  ten 
o'clock  rain  began  falling,  and  later  increased  to  the 
full  proportions  of  a  general  shower.  We  marched  on, 
apparently  indifferent,  but  not  really  so,  to  the  storm. 
As  we  could  distinctly  hear  the  artillery  firing  to  our 
front,  there  was  something  not  very  far  away  which 
served  to  divert  our  attention  from  the  rain  and  the 
discomforts  of  the  toilsome  march.  Shortly  after  noon 


RECONCILED  TO  "  DOG-TENTS."  119 

we  came  to  the  camp  very  lately  occupied  by  a  con- 
siderable force  of  the  enemy. 

The  vigorous  shelling  of  the  woods,  and  other  dem- 
onstrations by  our  troops,  had  induced  the  withdrawal 
of  this  force.  We  arrived  at  Nolensville  in  the  after- 
noon, and  passed  one  mile  beyond,  and  went  into  camp 
for  the  night.  Marching  on  quick  time  through  the 
rain  and  mud,  made  us  all  very  weary.  Our  camp  was 
on  a  part  of  the  ground  which  had  been  skirmished 
over  early  in  the  day.  It  was  here  that  we  had 
our  first  experience  in  using  the  "  purp-tents."  The 
weather  was  such  that  the  seeming  inadequate  shelter 
which  they  afforded  was  very  acceptable,  and  not 
deemed  so  utterly  inadequate  after  all;  at  least,  a  few 
of  the  boys  who  had  thrown  away  or  refused  to  carry 
a  half  tent,  very  much  regretted,  and  also  repented, 
their  hasty  action.  Even  a  "dog-tent"  should  be  given 
at  least  one  fair  trial  before  being  unceremoniously 
condemned,  cast  aside,  and  spit  upon.  Owing  to  the 
rain,  much  ditching,  just  at  the  inner  edges  of  the 
tents,  had  to  be  done  in  order  to  prevent  overflow  by 
water  of  the  sod  or  dirt  floor  of  the  tent.  One  spade 
or  shovel  had  to  do  duty  for  several  tents,  the  num- 
ber of  tents  greatly  exceeding  the  number  of  tools  at 
hand  for  ditching  purposes.  Picks  and  axes  were  made 
to  do  service  a  little  out  of  their  line  on  this  occasion. 
During  the  day  our  cavalry  captured  one  piece  of  ar- 
tillery and  three  prisoners,  our  loss  being  one  man 
killed  and  three  wounded.  The  enemy's  loss  not  ascer- 
tained, further  than  above  mentioned. 

The  morning  of  December  27th  found  us  enveloped  in 
fog.  The  weather  and  the  condition  of  the  ground  was 
deemed  very  unfavorable  for  the  work  we  had  in  hand ; 


120  IN  CONTACT  WITH  THE  ENEMY. 

but  we  were  committed  to  the  job,  and  had  to  take 
things  as  they  came.  Perhaps  the  enemy  had  some 
disadvantages  to  contend  with,  too. 

"  Shelling  of  the  woods"  in  our  advance  began 
promptly  at  7.30  o'clock.  At  ten  o'clock  the  73d 
moved  forward  and  took  position  in  the  rear  of  the  bri- 
gade. An  hour  later  we  moved  still  farther  to  the 
front,  reaching  the  place  where  the  rebel  pickets  had 
been  posted  the  preceding  night.  This  was  also  the 
place  where  the  artillery  firing  of  the  early  morning 
began. 

Our  next  move  was  to  a  point  one-half  mile  to  the 
front.  While  on  the  way  to  this  position  we  saw  one 
of  our  cavalrymen  who  had  been  killed  in  the  morning; 
also  a  few  rebel  prisoners.  After  waiting  an  hour,  we 
moved  one-half  mile,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  to  the 
right  of  the  road  leading  to  Triune,  two  miles  distant. 
Directly  after  forming  in  line,  rain  began  falling  rapidly, 
but  our  artillery  still  kept  on  firing  and  moving  for- 
ward as  the  rebels  retreated.  Some  twenty  minutes 
after  taking  position,  the  73d  was  ordered  to  move 
through  a  corn-field  and  halt  in  line,  on  the  left  of  the 
brigade.  While  executing  this  movement,  rain  fell  in 
torrents,  and  the  mud  was  not  less  than  four  inches  in 
depth.  Nothing  but  the  date  or  the  time  of  year  sug- 
gested the  idea  of  a  holiday  excursion.  But  regardless  of 
our  discomfort  and  the  many  impediments  to  our  moving 
in  line  of  battle,  we  pushed  on,  expecting  soon  to 
become  engaged,  as  our  skirmishers  were  busy  only  a 
short  distance  in  advance.  On  moving  from  the  last 
position,  we  passed  through  a  fine  woods-pasture,  and 
on  through  another  corn-field.  We  remained  in  the 
latter  place  but  a  short  time  before  receiving  orders  to 


A  QUIET  SABBATH.  121 

march  back  to  the  woods-pasture  and  go  into  camp. 
By  night-fall  the  rain  had  ceased  and  the  clouds  had 
disappeared.  The  cannonading  also  discontinued  at 
about  the  same  time.  Our  brigade  commander,  Colonel 
Schaefer,  in  giving  directions  for  our  last  movement  for 
the  day,  said :  "  Go  back  to  the  bush,  and  camp." 
Those  of  us  who  had  shelter  tents,  stretched  them, 
built  fires  in  front,  and  made  other  preparations  for 
comfort,  not  neglecting  coffee  and  other  rations.  The 
last  sounds  arising  from  the  contention  between  the 
hostile  forces  for  the  day  were  those  produced  by  vol- 
leys of  musketry  on  the  skirmish  line. 

The  weather,  on  the  morning  of  December  28th, 
was  clear  and  frosty.  It  being  Sunday,  respect  was 
had  to  the  order  of  President  Lincoln  not  to  make  a 
forward  movement  on  that  day.  We  accordingly  re- 
mained quietly  in  camp  until  Monday,  the  29th.  One 
report  current  through  our  camp  on  Sunday  was,  that 
there  were  ten  thousand  rebels  waiting  at  Triune  to 
give  us  battle  as  soon  as  we  again  moved  forward. 

The  first  report  on  Monday  was  to  the  effect  that 
the  enemy  had  evacuated  Triune.  This  report  being 
fully  verified,  we  moved  out  at  nine  o'clock,  taking 
another  road  leading  to  the  Murfreesboro  pike, 
said  to  be  some  thirteen  miles  distant.  Our  move- 
ment was  necessarily  a  slow  one,  as  our  trains  were 
heavy  and  the  roads  muddy.  We  passed  over  a  nice 
rolling  country  during  the  forenoon;  then  we  came  to 
a  high  ridge  or  eminence,  from  which  we  could  look 
out  over  a  valley  extending  toward  Murfreesboro. 
This  valley  was  covered  with  cedar-trees,  and  on  either 
side  were  towering  hills,  which  seemed  to  constitute  a 
range,  having  the  appearance  of  distant  mountains.  We 


122  RAIN  A  B  UNDANT—EA  TIONS  SCARCE, 

passed  down  into  this  valley,  and  found  it  uninhabited. 
Huts  built  of  cedar  logs,  for  use  of  lumbermen,  could 
be  seen  at  intervals  on  the  march.  We  did  not  reach 
the  opposite  side  of  the  valley  until  after  dark.  The 
roads  being  rough,  muddy,  and  slippery,  made  the 
march  extremely  difficult  and  wearisome.  The  artillery- 
men found  much  work  and  trouble  in  getting  their  bat- 
teries through.  Near  seven  o'clock  we  turned  aside, 
and  went  into  camp  in  a  corn-field,  within  five  miles  of 
Murfreesboro.  Our  camp  was  to  the  left  of  the  pike. 
We  were  greatly  fatigued  on  halting  for  the  night, 
and  were,  if  possible,  still  more  disappointed  when  in- 
structions not  to  allow  the  kindling  of  fires  were 
sent  around.  We  were  obliged  to  allow  water,  crackers, 
and  raw  meat  suffice  for  our  suppers.  The  ground 
being  soft  and  damp,  the  abundant  corn-stalks  were 
found  very  useful  in  preparing  for  the  night's  rest. 
After  making  all  preparations  possible,  we  retired 
for  the  night,  fully  expecting  to  be  awakened  early 
in  the  morning  by  the  roar  of  the  enemy's  cannon. 
Before  morning,  rain  fell,  slightly  wetting  our  blank- 
ets, and  causing  us  to  feel  a  disagreeable  chilliness. 
A  short  time  before  halting  at  our  resting-place  of 
December  29th,  we  passed  the  point  where  there  had 
been  a  sharp  cavalry  skirmish  during  the  day,  in  which 
thirty  of  our  men  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  rebels 
were  driven  back  with  considerable  loss;  but  as  they 
carried  their  dead  off  the  field,  the  extent  of  their  loss 
was  not  ascertained,  but  it  was  thought  to  be  at  least 
equal  to  our  own.  This  fight  may  be  said  to  be  the 
first j  or  part  of  the  first,  that  took  place  before  Mur- 
freesboro proper,  as  the  result  of  it  was  the  driving  in 


FOLLOWING  THE  RETIRING  ENEMY.  123 

t 

of  the  enemy's  cavalry  pickets,  which  were  strongly 
supported  by  a  reserve  force. 

The  weather  being  very  cool  on  the  morning  of  Decem- 
ber 30th,  and  our  blankets  and  clothing  being  damp, 
we  were  allowed  to  start  fires  that  we  might  warm 
ourselves  and  make  coffee,  and  treat  ourselves  to  a 
"half-way"  decent  breakfast,  not  expecting  to  be  per- 
mitted to  partake  of  another  uninterrupted  meal  that 
day.  It  was  thought  our  next  move  would  carry  us 
on  to  the  battle-field,  as  the  enemy  was  strongly  posted 
only  one  mile  and  a  half  away.  At  8.30  cannonading 
commenced,  and  at  9.15  we  moved  forward  fully  one 
mile,  reaching  a  heavy  woods,  where  the  battle  for  the 
day  on  our  front  commenced.  The  rebels  were  posted 
in  these  woods,  and  made  an  obstinate  resistance  to  our 
advance  skirmishers.  Our  artillerymen  sent  shells  and 
shot  shrieking  and  tearing  in  the  direction  of  the 
enemy.  Our  skirmishers  kept  advancing  from  tree  to 
tree,  the  rebels  being  compelled  to  give  way.  Our 
brigade  formed  the  first  line  of  battle  in  these  woods 
at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  with  another  brigade  in  our 
front,  which  did  the  skirmishing,  and  kept  slowly 
moving  on  and  pressing  the  enemy  back.  At  this  stage 
of  the  proceedings  a  drizzling  rain  set  in.  "  Trust  in 
God,  and  keep  your  powder  dry,"  was  suggested  by 
somebody  as  the  proper  thing  to  do  under  the  circum- 
stances. It  certainly  was  not  improper  for  the 
"Preacher  Regiment"  to  observe  the  first  part  of  this 
injunction,  though  the  latter  part  was  perhaps  more 
faithfully  heeded. 

At  2.45  P.  M.  we  were  ordered  to  take  position  im- 
mediately in  rear  of  our  batteries  and  facing  in  a  south- 


124  ONE  OF  MANY  INCIDENTS. 

east  direction.  By  three  P.  M.  the  musketry  firing  to 
our  right  and  front  grew  more  constant  and  steady. 
The  battery  we  supported  threw  shells  at  the  enemy  in 
front  of  Jeff.  C.  Davis's  division,  which  was  heavily 
engaged.  At  one  time*  Davis  was  compelled  to  fall 
back  to  get  ammunition ;  but  as  soon  as  supplied, 
his  division  recovered  the  lost  ground,  driving  the 
enemy  before  it,  and  inflicting  a  severe  loss  by  so  doing, 
but  probably  not  much  greater  than  it  suffered.  The 
25th  Illinois,  three  companies  of  which  were  from  Ver- 
milion County,  was  in  Davis's  division,  and  engaged  in 
the  hottest  of  this  fight,  getting  several  men  of  the 
three  companies,  A,  B,  and  D,  wounded,  but  none  killed. 
Here  James  Frazier,  of  Company  A,  of  the  25th,  was 
in  the  advance,  and  was  ordered  by  Lieutenant  West  to 
fall  back  from  his  advanced  and  exposed  position ;  but 
instead  of  stopping  at  the  proper  place,  Frazier  told  one 
of  the  boys  he  was  going  back  after  his  overcoat.  He 
went  on  to  the  rear,  and  got  in  company  with  a  soldier 
who  was  slightly  wounded;  and  finding  a  blind  horse, 
they  both  mounted  him  and  "  disadvanced"  on  Nash- 
ville. We  mention  this  incident,  for  a  twofold  purpose : 
first,  for  the  reason  that  it  is  recorded  in  the  diary, 
upon  which  we  are  relying  for  data  in  preparing  this  por- 
tion of  this  history ;  it  being  so  recorded  evidences  the 
completeness  and  reliability  of  the  diary  itself,  also  the 
particularity  and  attention  to  details  with  which  it  was 
kept,  day  after  day.  Second,  there  were  numerous  simi- 
lar cases  to  the  one  mentioned.  Not  all  of  those  soldiers 
who,  during  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  betook  them- 
selves to  the  rear  were  cowards  or  "panic-stricken." 
Many  of  them,  as  in  the  case  cited,  were  no  doubt 
doing  duty  a  little  out  of  line,  and  recklessly,  and  not 


EVE  OF  A  GENERAL  ENGAGEMENT.  125 

being  thoroughly  disciplined,  or  permitted  to  act  some- 
what independently,  were  offended  and  concluded  to 
allow  the  battle  to  go  on  without  their  co-operation  if 
not  allowed  to  co-operate  in  their  own  way,  "you 
know."  We  wish  it  understood  now  that  the  writer 
did  not  see  Nashville  until  April,  1864,  after  having 
once  left  there  with  his  regiment  on  the  movement  to 
Murfreesboro. 

At  4.15  P.  M.  our  brigade  moved  to  the  right 
across  a  corn-field,  forming  in  a  narrow  strip  of  timber, 
and  fronting  the  east,  to  the  left  and  rear  of  Davis's 
division.  We  left  the  battery  we  had  been  supporting; 
but  it  kept  on  firing  until  after  dark.  At  6.30  we  had 
orders  to  make  one  small  fire  to  each  company.  Even 
this  was  quite  a  favor,  as  a  north  wind  prevailed,  ac- 
companied by  rain,  and  we  were  all  cold  and  becoming 
more  so.  Our  supply  of  rations  was  very  scant,  aver- 
aging not  more  than  two  "  hard-tack  "  to  the  haversack. 
Some  of  the  officers  and  men  had  picked  up  some  Con- 
federate potatoes,  which  helped  a  little  toward  patching 
up  a  bit  of  a  supper.  There  was  some  parching  of  corn 
that  night,  too. 

We  did  not  become  actively  or  actually  engaged 
on  December  30th;  but  we  were  under  fire  at  differ- 
ent times  and  places,  and  kept  in  a  state  of  suspense 
and  expectation  of  being  called  upon  to  do  or  un- 
dertake something  desperate,  or  at  least  something 
we  had  never  done  before.  It  was  evident  our  experi- 
ence at  Stone  River  was  to  be  entirely  dissimilar  to 
that  we  had  undergone  at  Perry  ville,  where  we  had 
little  else  to  do  but  load  our  pieces,  and  "  whack  and 
bang  away"  at  the  enemy.  Several  of  the  division 
teams  and  wagons  of  Sheridan's  train  had  been  captured 


126  PRELIMINA  R  Y  EXHOR  TA  T10NS. 

during  the  day,  among  them  two  or  three  which  con- 
tained blankets  and  other  useful  articles  belonging  to 
the  73d.  The  loss  of  these  fell  mostly  on  the  officers ; 
but  the  failure  to  draw  rations,  also  due  to  the  capture 
of  a  part  of  our  train,  entailed  a  loss  on  the  men  as 
well  as  on  the  officers. 

On  Wednesday  morning,  December  31st,  the  weather 
was  quite  cool  and  the  sky  partially  clouded.  At  dawn 
our  brigade  was  ordered  to  change  position.  We  moved 
immediately,  and  took  position  in  an  open  field  to  the 
left  and  front  of  the  position  we  had  just  left.  We 
formed  in  line  of  battle  fronting  the  east,  the  44th 
Illinois  being  in  our  front.  By  this  time  the  battle 
was  on;  heavy  firing,  both  artillery  and  musketry,  was 
going  on  to  our  right.  An  order  from  General  Rose- 
crans  was  read  to  us  by  the  acting  adjutant,  in  which 
the  soldiers  were  exhorted  to  stand  firmly  during  the 
day.  The  results  of  yesterday's  battle  had  been  all  the 
commanding  general  could  wish ;  the  men  had  conducted 
themselves  bravely,  and  done  good  execution.  The 
country  was  watching  us  and  expecting  us  to  do  our 
whole  duty. 

Major  Presson  addressed  us  in  a  few  apt  and  well- 
chosen  words,  cautioning  us  to  keep  cool,  take  deliber- 
ate aim,  and  fire  low,  and  adopt  the  motto,  "  Murfrees- 
boro  or  die."  The  major's  speech  was  abbreviated  some- 
what by  the  apparent  urgent  necessity  for  action  on  our 
part.  Just  at  this  point  we  could  see  many  wounded 
men  coming  from  our  right  front,  making  their  way  to 
our  rear.  Some  of  them  were  limping,  having  been 
wounded  in  the  lower  extremities;  others  who  were 
wounded  in  the  hand,  wrist,  arm,  or  shoulder  could  get 
off  with  greater  rapidity,  if  not  with  greater  ease  or 


JOHNSON'S  DIVISION  SURPRISED.  127 

comfort;  while  still  others,  more  seriously  wounded, 
were  borne  on  stretchers  to  a  place  of  supposed  safety. 

On  the  abrupt  conclusion  of  our  major's  speech, 
Captain  Bazell,  of  the  2d  Missouri,  arrived,  and  by 
order  of  Colonel  Schaefer,  took  command  of  the  right 
wing  of  the  73d.  This  was,  perhaps,  deemed  necessary, 
as  the  regiment  was  yet  quite  large,  and  our  colonel  and 
adjutant  were  both  absent.  It  was  certain,  however, 
that  the  regiment  was  comparatively  new,  and  inex- 
perienced in  making  movements  and  military  evolutions 
while  under  fire. 

The  two  wings  of  the  73d  were  separated,  the  right 
wing  forming  in  line  of  battle  some  two  hundred  yards 
to  the  right  lying  flatly  on  the  ground  in  rear  of  the 
44th  Illinois;  the  latter  getting  an  oportunity  to  fire  a 
few  rounds  at  the  enemy,  which  privilege  was  denied 
us.  The  left  wing  of  the  regiment  had  fallen  back 
and  taken  position  so  as  to  be  able  to  assist  in  defend- 
ing a  battery  in  an  expected  contingency. 

On  the  extreme  right  of  our  army  General  John- 
son's division  held  position  in  line.  Next,  to  the  left, 
was  Davis's  division ;  then  came  our  (Sheridan's)  divis- 
ion, posted  to  the  left  of  Davis,  and  holding  the  left  of 
the  line  of  McCook's  corps.  Johnson  allowed  himself 
and  his  troops  to  be  thoroughly  surprised  very  early  in 
the  day,  losing  his  artillery,  while  the  unharnessed  horses 
were  being  watered  a  little  to  the  rear.  Many  of  his  men 
were  captured,  among  them  General  Willich,  one  of  his 
brigade  commanders.  His  division  fled  precipitately, 
compelled  to  do  so  under  the  circumstances,  making  little 
if  any  resistance  to  the  advancing  Confederates.  This 
state  of  affairs  permitted  the  rebel  assault  to  strike 
Davis's  division  with  increased  impetuosity  and  violence. 


128 


SHERIDAN'S  DIVISION  AROUSED  EARLY. 


GENERAL  A.  M'D.  M'COOK 


Davis,  having  had  some  warning  of  what  might  be  ex- 
pected, was  ready  to  offer  a  stubborn  resistance  to  the 

enemy ;  but  was  unable  to 
hold  him  in  check,  notwith- 
standing the  fact  that  por- 
tions of  Johnson's  division 
had  rallied  and  were  begin- 
ning to  "show  fight."  Being 
struck  on  its  right  flank, 
and  thus  exposed  to  a 
destructive  enfilading  fire, 
Davis's  division  was  com- 
pelled, in  turn,  to  fall 
back,  but  in  less  disorder 
than  Johnson's.  The  reb- 
els followed  closely,  in  regular  order,  in  two  or  more 
lines  of  battle,  greatly  encouraged,  and  apparently 
flushed  with  the  prospect  of  perpetrating  a  Western 
"  Bull  Run."  Had  Johnson  been  as  wary  and  consid- 
erate as  Sheridan,  we  might  have  been  spared  the  dis- 
aster which  our  right  wing  suffered  at  Stone  River. 

From  a  paper  prepared  by  Henry  A.  Castle,  from 
which  we  have  already  quoted,  we  quote  again  as 
follows : 

"  We  were  warned  to  be  ready  for  battle  at  day -break  on 
Wednesday  morning.  An  hour  before  this  time,  General  Sheri- 
dan, on  foot  and  alone,  went  the  whole  length  of  our  division  line, 
visited  each  regimental  commander,  saw  personally  that  the  men 
were  aroused  and  under  arms,  posted  his  artillery,  and  made 
everything  ready  well  in  advance  of  the  time  named  in  his  orders. 
Nearly  an  hour  after  day-break  the  attack  came  on  Johnson's 
division,  a  few  hundred  yards  to  our  right.  Driven  by  the  over- 
whelming force  of  the  onset,  Johnson,  and  then  Davis,  fell  back, 
throwing  the  augmented  weight  of  the  enemy  on  Sheridan,  who 
was  now  relied  on  to  check  him  until  new  dispositions  could  be 


CAPTAIN  ALSOP,  OF  COMPANY  F,  KILLED.          129 

made,  or  the  disaster  retrieved.  Sheridan  held  his  ground  until 
flanked  and  pounded  out  of  it,  then  stubbornly  retreated  across 
an  open  cotton-field  where  he  left  one-third  of  his  men,  killed  and 
wounded,  and  two  of  his  brigade  commanders." 

We  have  noted  the  fact  that  the  two  wings  of  our 
regiment  were  separated,  the  left  wing  going  back  to 
help  support  a  battery.  Just  when  the  two  wings 
were  reunited  we  are  not  able  to  determine ;  but  they 
were  not  apart  a  very  great  while.  The  right  wing 
was  lying  in  readiness  for  action  in  rear  of  the  44th 
Illinois,  as  already  stated.  The  2d  and  15th  Missouri 
Regiments  were  driven  back  from  a  battery  they  were 
supporting,  but  very  soon  rallied,  retook  the  battery, 
and  hauled  it  away  by  hand,  the  horses  having  all 
been  shot.  Then  we  were  all  ordered  to  fall  back, 
which  we  did,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the  woods 
in  which  we  had  been  posted  the  day  before.  We  re- 
mained in  this  position  but  a  few  minutes  before 
receiving  orders  to  fall  back  to  the  pike.  We  executed 
this  movement  under  a  heavy  fire,  and  Captain  Alsop, 
of  Company  F,  was  killed,  and  many  others  of  the 
regiment  wounded.  We  crossed  a  high  rail-fence — 
however,  it  was  not  so  high  after  we  crossed  it — and 
soon  after  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the  edge  of  a 
thick  cedar  woods.  This  brings  us  up  to  8.30  o'clock 
A.  M.  only  in  the  day,  so  rapidly  were  events  trans- 
piring. Here  we  plainly  saw  rebel  flags  and  two  lines 
of  battle,  with  bayonets  fixed  advancing  rapidly,  with 
the  "  rebel  yell"  accompaniment.  We  here  improved 
an  opportunity  by  delivering  an  oblique  and  terribly 
effective  fire  on  the  charging  enemy.  Many  of  the 
rebels  were  killed  and  wounded,  the  remainder  turned 
and  ran;  but  our  fire  did  not  slacken  until  they  passed 


130  THE  CEDAR  THICKET. 

beyond  the  range  of  our  guns.  Before  we  were  aware 
of  it,  the  other  three  regiments  of  our  brigade  got  away 
from  us,  ami  there  were  some  apprehensions  as  to  the 
safety  of  our  position,  although  we  had  just  aided  in 
repelling  a  charge  in  our  front.  It  is  quite  probable 
the  two  wings  of  the  73d  had  joined  before  this  point 


HENRY  A.  CASTILE, 

Sergeant-Major  730!  Illinois  Volunteers,  from  December  26, 
1862,  to  April  17,  1863. 

was  reached.  Some  time  elapsed  before  we  found  the 
brigade.  In  falling  back,  we  found  the  cedar  woods  so 
thick,  and  so  filled  with  rock  and  caverns  and  fallen 
trees,  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  get  through  it. 
The  ominous  sounds  of  the  fiercely  waged  battle  seemed 
to  come  to  us  from  all  sides,  so  that  we  endeavored  to 
preserve  the  semblance  of  a  line,  while  making  our  diffi- 


OUR  REGIMENT  RETIRES  IN  ORDER.  131 

cult  retreat  through  the  jungle.  The  roar  and  din  of 
the  conflict  seeming  to  increase  or  to  draw  nearer,  we 
formed  line  of  battle  in  the  midst  of  the  cedar  thicket 
some  three  hundred  yards  from  and  facing  the  position 
we  last  held.  This  was  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M. 

We  remained  in  this  position  but  a  short  time ;  but 
while  waiting,  we  witnessed  the  skirmishers  in  our 
front  taking  shelter  which  the  numerous  trees  afforded; 
they  fell  back  slowly,  firing  at  the  rebels  as  they  would 
discover  themselves,  and  advance  from  similar  shelter. 
We  were  ordered  to  "about  face"  and  march  on  through 
to  the  east  side  of  (he  thicket,  where  we  re-formed  or 
corrected  our  line,  and  immediately  opened  fire  on  the 
enemy,  posted  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  dis- 
tant, sheltered  behind  fences  and  the  ruins  of  a  large 
brick  house.  It  was  now  a  quarter  to  ten  o'clock. 
Comrade  Castle's  "  paper"  describes  the  events  occurring 
since  8.30  o'clock  in  the  following  language : 

"  When  we  reached  the  dense  cedar  thicket  our  regiment 
formed  at  its  edge,  behind  a  mass  of  logs  and  stumps,  under  orders 
from  General  Rousseau,  who  came  along  raving  with  excitement, 
or  drink,  detached  us  from  Sheridan's  command  without  the  latter's 
knowledge,  placed  us  in  an  exposed  but  really  effective  position, 
and  went  off,  leaving  us  to  our  fate.  Here  we  repulsed  several 
desperate  charges  by  the  triumphant  rebel  hosts,  remaining  until 
again  flanked  and  nearly  captured,  when  we  fell  back  slowly 
through  the  thick  cedars,  without  orders,  purpose,  or  a  ray  of 
knowledge  as  to  what  was  transpiring  outside  the  limits  of  our 
short  line  of  sight.  Under  us  the  surface  was  piled  with  rocks 
and  rent  with  caverns ;  above  us  the  thick,  green  foliage  inter- 
cepted the  sunlight.  Around  us",  at  every  point  of  the  compass 
seemingly,  the  roar  of  battle  was  deafening,  at  an  unseen  though 
not  great  distance  ;  while  nearer,  as  far  as  we  could  see,  the  woods 
were  filled  with  disorganized  masses  of  troops,  flying  they  knew 
not  whence  or  whither,  but  utterly  panic-stricken  and  uncontrol- 
lable. .  Our  regiment  kept  well  in  line,  as  it  fell  slowly  back,  but 


132         CONFUSION  IN  THE  JVNQLES— CASUALTIES. 

all  around  us,  and  often  breaking  through  us,  was  a  yelling  mob ; 
officers  weeping  or  swearing,  soldiers  demoralized  and  shivering. 
If  there  was  anything  more  disgraceful  at  Bull  Run  thau  the 
scenes  I  witnessed  in  those  cedars,  I  have  not  seen  it  described ; 
and  yet,  half  an  hour  later,  on  emerging  into  the  open  field  and  the 
sunshine,  these  same  men  gathered  together  and  fell  into  the 
ranks  as  promptly,  and  fought  through  the  remainder  of  the  battle 
and  the  remainder  of  the  war  so  heroically,  that  this  little  episode, 
even  to  the  few  who  ever  heard  of  it,  was  but  a  fly-speck  upon  the 
record  of  their  achievements.  When  we  had  nearly  passed  througli 
these  cedar  woods  we  were  found  by  an  aide,  sent  by  Sheridan, 
who  had  finally  missed  us,  marched  us  to  our  assigned  place  in  the 
reorganized  and  impregnable  line  of  battle,  where  we  resumed  our 
bloody  work  under  more  favorable  auspices.  It  was  now  only  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  so  rapidly  had  events  proceeded." 

Probably  the  other  regiments  of  our  brigade  paid  no 
attention  to  Rousseau,  which  may  explain  how  it  was 
that  the  73d  "got  left."  At  ten  o'clock,  or  a  little 
earlier,  John  Dye  and  James  H.  Yoho,  of  Company  C, 
were  killed.  These  and  other  casualties  to  the  regi- 
ment occurred  by  ten  o'clock,  and  before  we  left  the 
last  position  hel(J,  on  taking  another  along  the  railroad. 
Immediately  after  suffering  the  losses  mentioned,  we 
received  orders  to  fall  back,  as  the  rebels  were  making 
a  flank  movement  and  coming  on  us  in  such  strong 
force  that  it  was  thought  useless  to  attempt  longer 
resistance  from  that  point.  Our  new  position  gave  us 
the  advantage  in  ground,  and  the  protection  of  a  ditch 
and  an  embankment  formed  by  the  construction  of  the 
railroad.  We  soon  discovered  the  appearance  of  the 
enemy  in  the  edge  of  the  woods  we  had  just  left. 
They  directed  a  heavy  fire  on  our  position,  but  their 
shots  being  too  high,  did  little  damage.  At  eleven 
o'clock  we  were  posted  in  rear  of  a  battery  which 
was  vigorously  throwing  shell  into  the  woods  to  our 
front.  While  in  this  position  we  remained  inactive, 


MAJOR  PRESSON  FALLS— REPULSE  OF  THE  ENEMY.  133 

and  became  somewhat  rested  from  our  weariness,  the 
effect  of  physical  exertions.  Before  this  time  many  of 
the  regiment  had  "given  out,"  become  exhausted,  and 
were  left  to  take  their  own  time  and  chances  for  re- 
cuperation. In  two  or  three  cases  not  much  rest  was 
found  for  the  "  tired  "  men  until  they  reached  Nashville. 
Our  next  move  was  along  the  railroad  toward  Mur- 
freesboro,  to  a  position  similar  to  one  we  had  previously 
held.  As  we  were  going  into  position,  Major  Presson 
was  struck  by  a  ball  or  piece  of  shell,  and  knocked  off 
his  horse.  He  came-  into  the  ditch  with  us,  but  soon 
becoming  sick  was  compelled  to  go  to  the  hospital. 
We  remained  in  this  position  until  near  one  o'clock, 
firing  steadily  from  the  top  of  the  embankment,  which 
was  considerably  higher  than  our  heads,  stepping  up 
to  fire,  then  falling  back  to  load.  While  here  we  dis-. 
covered  a  column  of  men  coming  up  the  railroad  from 
the  direction  of  Murfreesboro.  Apparently  they  were 
dressed  in  our  uniform  and  moving  on  us.  They  did 
not  fire,  but  getting  nearer  we  could  distinguish  the 
Confederate  flag.  We  then  took  a  position  away  from 
the  railroad,  in  a  cotton-field,  and  lay  down  to  wait 
the  arrival  of  the  Confederates  within  easy  range  of 
our  pieces.  They  came  steadily  forward,  until  their 
heads  began  to  show  above  the  embankment;  then  we 
fired.  We  kept  on  firing  for  the  space  of  ten  minutes' 
time,  when  the  enemy  fell  back,  leaving  several  of 
their  number  dead  in  the  ditch.  In  this  part  of  the 
day's  work  the  73d  lost  one  man  killed  and  two 
wounded. 

Our  ammunition  becoming  nearly  exhausted,  we  were 
moved  to  another  position  to  the  rear,  in  the  skirts  of 
a  woods.  This  move  was  made  at  1.30  o'clock.  Our 


134  ADVICE  FROM  ROSECRANS. 

stay  in  this  position  was  brief,  owing  to  the  danger  we 
were  exposed  to  without  being  able  to  inflict  any  dam- 
age in  return.  Grape,  solid  shot,  shell,  and  spent 
musket-balls  seemed  to  be  not  only  hunting  for  us, 
but  actually  finding  us.  A  fragment  of  shell  struck 
John  J.  Halsted,  of  Company  C,  on  the  back  of  the 
head,  inflicting  a  painful  but  not  mortal  wound. 
Colonel  Schaefer,  our  brigade  commander,  was  killed, 
the  ball  passing  in  at  the  lower  part  of  the  right  ear 
and  corning  out  at  the  left  ear.  We  very  much 
regretted  his  loss,  as  we  had  confidence  in  his  skill 
and  generalship.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Laibold,  of  the  2d 
Missouri,  succeeded  Schaefer  as  brigade  commander. 

After  refilling  our  cartridge-boxes,  we  lay  down 
flatly  in  the  new  position,  some  two  hundred  yards  to 
,the  rear  of  our  last  one,  which  had  proven  so  unten- 
able. At  about  two  o'clock  there  was  a  lull  in  the  fight; 
both  sides  ceased  firing  for  nearly  a  half  hour.  Then 
an  artillery  duel  began,  and  continued  until  dark. 
Deadly  missiles  kept  dropping  among  our  men.  Of 
the  brigade,  three  men  were  killed  and  six  wounded. 
At  this  point  General  Rosecrans  came  along.  He 
halted  and  addressed  to  us  a  few  words,  combining 
caution,  advice,  and  encouragement,  in  what  he  had  to 
say,  about  as  follows : 

"  Too  much  ammunition  has  been  wasted  during  the  day.  Here- 
after I  want  you  to  wait  until  you  can  see  the  whites  of  their  eyes ; 
then  take  good  aim  ;  aim  low;  shin  them.  One  wounded  man  is 
worth  three  dead  men.  Do  this,  and  nearly  every  load  will  tell. 
Make  a  bayonet  charge  every  chance  you  have,  for  the  rebels 
won't  stand  the  cold  steel.  In  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a  hundred 
the  party  that  makes  a  bayonet  charge  is  successful." 

The  commanding  general  was,  to  all  appearances,  as 
cool  and  composed  as  though  the  battle  was  not  going  on. 


MORAL  EFFECT  OF  "SHAM"  RE-ENFORCEMENTS.  135 

During  the  twilight  hour  we  drew  one  cracker  to 
the  man.  We  had  but  little  to  eat  during  the  day, 
and  part  of  that  little  was  picked  up  off  the  ground 
where  left  by  some  wounded  man  or  panic-stricken  in- 
dividual. The  haversacks  of  the  dead,  in  some  instances, 
contributed  to  the  scant  supply.  By  the  time  dark- 
ness had  fully  settled  over  us  all  firing  had  ceased,  and 
there  was  a  perfect  calm,  except  as  broken  by  cheering 
over  the  arrival  or  supposed  arrival  of  r.e-enforcements. 

At  eight  o'clock  P.  M.  we  moved  out  to  the  pike, 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant,  to  a  point  where  we 
could  have  fires  and  draw  rations ;  the  position  we 
left  being  occupied  by  troops  that  had  done  little  or 
suffered  little  during  the  day,  and  could,  better  than  we, 
pass  the  night  without  fires  and  coffee.  At  8.45 
o'clock  P.  M.  we  were  at  our  new  position,  sitting 
around  nice,  bright  fires,  anxiously  awaiting  the  arrival 
of  the  brigade  teams,  which  should  bring  rations.  At 
the  same  time  great  rejoicing  and  much  cheering  was 
indulged  in  on  account  of  the  continued  marching  of 
troops  along  the  pike.  The  "  moral  effect "  of  heavy 
re-enforcements  arriving  from  Nashville  must  certainly 
have  been  produced  on  both  armies  before  Murfrees- 
boro  that  night.  Whether  any  re-enforcements  really 
arrived  from  Nashville,  is  a  question  we  can  not  deter- 
mine authoritatively.  At  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.  the 
expected  rations  arrived,  and  by  the  time  the  old  year 
was  finally  departing,  we  welcomed  in  the  new  year  by 
partaking  heartily  of  a  full  meal.  We  very  much  en- 
joyed our  rations  of  crackers,  side-meat,  and  coffee. 
The  meat  we  broiled  by  holding  it  with  a  stick  over 
the  hot  coals;  and  our  coffee  was  partaken  of  without 
sugar.  The  losses  of  the  regiment  during  the  day,  as 


136  PREP  A  RA  TIONS  D  UR1NG   THE  NIGHT. 

ascertained  up  to  midnight,  were  twenty  killed,  fifty 
wounded,  and  thirty  missing. 

General  Rosecrans  passed  twice  during  the  night, 
for  the  purpose  of  inspecting  the  lines.  He  reported 
that  the  position  of  his  army,  for  defensive  purposes, 
was  better  than  that  held  by  it  on  the  previous  morn- 
ing. During  a  fraction  of  the  night  we  sat  around  our 
fires,  sleeping  as  best  we  could,  leaning  on  our  hands, 
our  elbows  resting  on  our  knees.  We  did  not  over- 
sleep ourselves,  but  the  little  rest  we  got  was  very 
helpful  and  advantageous,  as  during  the  day  the 
resources  of  our  strength  had  been  heavily  drawn  upon 
and  needed  replenishing. 

With  but  few  exceptions,  we  have  followed  the  for- 
tunes of  the  73d  in  all  that  is  here  recorded  concern- 
ing the  battle  of  Stone  River.  It  may  be  well  to  devote 
some  space  to  events  which  transpired  beyond,  but  still 
not  far  from  our  own  sphere  of  operations. 

In  the  "American  Conflict,"  Vol.  II,  page  274,  we 
find  this  passage,  summing  up  the  work  of  December 
31,  1862,  as  accomplished  by  Sheridan's  division.  The 
passage  occurs  immediately  after  two  similar  ones  treat- 
ing of  the  work,  or  misfortunes  rather,  of  Johnson's 
and  Davis's  divisions  respectively,  and  reads  thus: 

"  Sheridan's  division  fought  longer  and  better ;  but  of  his  bri- 
gade commanders,  General  J.  W.  Sill  was  killed  early  in  the  day, 
while  leading  a  successful  charge,  and  Colonels  Roberts  and  Schaefer 
at  later  periods — each  falling  at  the  head  of  his  brigade  while 
charging  or  being  charged.  This  division  fought  well  throughout, 
but  was  pushed  back,  nearly  or  quite  to  the  Nashville  turnpike, 
with  the  loss  of  Houghtaling's  and  a  section  of  Bush's  battery." 

In  more  than  one  account  of  the  operations  prelim- 
inary to  and  including  Stone  River,  that  battle  is  treated, 
not  as  one,  but  as  several  battles,  extending,  from  first 


REVIEW  OF  WORK.  137 

to  last,  over  a  full  week.  Beginning  with  December 
28th,  almost  every  foot  of  ground  as  we  advanced  was 
contested  by  the  enemy. 

Each  of  the  commanding  generals  had  given  orders 
to  attack  the  other  December  31'st,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. "Breakfast  at  daylight  and  attack  at  seven 
o'clock,"  it  is  said,  were  the  orders  of  Rosecrans  ;  while 
Bragg's  orders,  according  to  the  same  authority,  were 
"  Breakfast  in  the  dark,  and  attack  at  daylight." 
Both  orders,  literally  construed  and  executed,  per- 
mitted breakfast  to  the  Confederate  army,  while  the 
Federal  should  do  without.  The  attack  was  made 
according  to  Bragg's  order,  and  struck  Kirk's  brigade 
of  Johnson's  division  first.  Kirk  very  soon  needed 
assistance,  and  called  on  Willich's  brigade,  the  next 
and  last  one  to  the  right.  But  Willich  was  absent 
from  his  command,  and  the  call  was  not  responded 
to.  On  his  way  from  Johnson's  head-quarters,  Willich 
was  made  prisoner  and  his  horse  shot.  Kirk  fell, 
mortally  wounded.  Of  the  two  brigades,  nearly  half 
were  killed,  wounded,  or  captured.  Johnson's  division 
was  enveloped  in  disaster,  only  Baldwin's  brigade  re- 
maining, and  that  powerless  to  turn  or  stay  the  rebel 
advance.  The  rebels,  already  strong,  received  additional 
strength.  Baldwin's  brigade  resisted  gallantly,  but 
briefly,  and  then  fell  back,  just  in  time  to  escape 
capture. 

The  enemy  continued  to  advance,  and  though  re-en- 
forced from  his  reserve,  his  progress  was  slackened  some 
as.  Davis's  division  became  engaged.  The  advantage 
gained  early  in  the  morning  by  the  enemy,  due  to  the 
suddenness  and  momentum  of  his  attack,  enabled  him 
to  push  Davis's  division  back ;  but  by  this  time  he  was 


138  SERIOUS  WORK— AN  HISTORIC  DAY. 

beginning  to  pay  pretty  dearly  for  ground  and  what- 
ever else  he  wrested  from  our  forces.  The  enemy  ad- 
vancing in  deep  masses  made  it  next  to  impossible  for 
the  firing  by  our  troops,  as  they  retreated,  to  prove 
ineffectual.  Davis's  center  and  left  brigades,  com- 
manded by  Carlin  and  Woodruff,  and  Sheridan's  right 
brigade,  commanded  by  Sill,  acting  unitedly,  were  suc- 
cessful in  checking  the  rebels,  and  not  only  that,  but 
drove  them  back.  They  re-formed  their  lines,  and 
being  re-enforced,  charged  again,  and  were  again  driven 
back  by  the  three  brigades  of  Carlin,  Woodruff,  and  Sill. 
In  a  counter  charge,  successfully  led  by  General  Sill, 
that  officer  was  killed.  At  the  same  time  Post's  bri- 
gade, of  Davis's  division,  repelled  an  assault  by  part 
of  Cheatham's  men. 

During  all  this  time  Sheridan  was  busy,  working 
not  only  with  his  own  division,  but  any  and  every- 
where. The  battle  raged  with  undiminished  and  undi- 
minishing  activity.  Sheridan's  division  became  hotly 
engaged.  Colonel  Roberts,  another  of  his  brigade  com- 
manders, lost  his  life.  Several  assaults  were  repulsed, 
and  but  for  the  turning  of  the  right  flank,  and  the  con- 
sequent havoc  and  panic  created  in  its  rear,  possibly 
Sheridan  would  have  withstood  for  a  still  longer  time, 
the  attacks  on  his  front;  but,  as  it  was,  he  wns  com- 
pelled in  turn  to  fall  back,  taking  his  time,  and  doing 
so  with  some  judgment  and  deliberation.  This  brings  t 
us  down  to  that  part  of  the  struggle  already  sufficiently 
dwelt  upon  for  the  purposes  of  this  history.  Up  to  this 
point  Sheridan's  division  had  been  industriously  fight- 
ing for  four  hours,  perhaps,  barring  the  time  spent  in 
getting  back  through  the  cedar  thicket;  and  many  of 
his  regiments  were  out  of  ammunition  the  second  time. 


DEATH  OF  SCHAEFER  AND  GARESCHE.  139 

Very  soon  after  obtaining  a  supply  of  ammunition  for 
his  brigade,  Colonel  Schaefer  was  killed,  being  the 
third  and  last  of  Sheridan's  brigade  officers,  or  com- 
manders, to  meet  such  a  fate. 

The  right  of  Rosecrans's  army,  or  what  was  left  of 
it,  having  in  great  measure  re-formed  and  re-established 
itself,  and  having  received  help  from  the  center  and  left 
wing,  the  disasters  of  the  early  part  of  the  day  were 
beginning  to  be  repaired  and  compensated. 

In  the  course  of  the  day,  and  while  examining  his 
left,  General  Rosecrans  was  grazed  by  a  fragment  of 
shell,  doing  him  little  or  no  damage;  a  piece  of  the  same 
shell,  it  is  thought,  took  off  the  head  of  his  chief  of 
staff,  Julius  P.  Garesche.*  In  officers,  the  losses  of  our 


*  A  solid  shot,  Sheridan  says,  took  off  the  head  of  Colonel  Garesche. 
He  may  be  correct,  but  a  shell  bursting  into  fragments  would  be 
more  likely  to  take  off  the  head  of  one  person  and  then  kill  or  wound 
two  or  more  others  in  the  same  squad.  "  While  my  troops  were 
lying  here,  General  Rosecrans  with  a  part  of  his  staff  and  a  few  order- 
lies rode  out  on  the  rearranged  Ijne  to  supervise  its  formation  and 
encourage  the  men,  and  in  prosecution  of  these  objects,  moved  around 
the  front  of  my  column  of  attack,  within  range  of  the  batteries  that 
were  shelling  me  [us]  so  viciously.  As  he  passed  to  the  open  ground 
on  my  left  I  joined  him.  The  enemy,  seeing  this  mounted  party, 
turned  his  guns  upon  it,  and  his  accurate  aim  was  soon  rewarded,  for  a 
solid  shot  carried  away  the  head  of  Colonel  Garesche,  the  chief  of 
staff,  and  killed  or  wounded  two  or  three  orderlies.  Garesche's  appall- 
ing death  stunned  us  all,  and  a  momentary  expression  of  horror 
spread  over  Rosecrans's  fac?,  but  at  such  a  time  the  importance  of  self- 
control  was  vital,  and  he  pursued  his  course  with  an  appearance  of  in- 
difference which,  however,  those  immediately  about  him  saw  was 
assumed,  for  undoubtedly  he  felt  most  deeply  the  death  of  his  friend 
and  trusted  staff  officer.  No  other  attacks  were  made  on  us  to  the  east 
of  the  railroad  for  the  rest  of  the  afternoon,  and  just  before  dark  I  was 
directed  to  withdraw  and  take  up  a  position  along  the  west  side  of  the 
Nashville  pike,  on  the  extreme  right  of  our  new  line,  where  Roberts's 
brigade  and  the  73d  and  88th  Illinois  had  already  been  placed  by 
McCook.  The  day  had  cost  me  much  anxiety  and  sadness,  and  I 
was  sorely  disappointed  at  the  general  result,  though  I  could  not  be 
other  than  pleased  at  the  part  taken  by  my  command.  The  loss  of  my 


140  CONCURRING  TESTIMONY— AMERICAN  CONFLICT. 

army  during  the  day  were  very  great;  and  so  many 
of  these  losses  occurring  early  in  the  morning,  con- 
tributed not  a  little  to  the  confusion  which  overtook 
our  extreme  right  in  the  very  outset  of  the  engagement. 
According  to  arrangement  and  division  of  the  matter 
for  this  work,  we  end  this  chapter  with  the  year  1862; 
and  embrace  in  the  next  chapter  the  history  of  the 
regiment  made  during  the  year  1863. 


brigade  commanders — Sill,  Roberts,  Schaefer,  and  Harrington — and  a 
large  number  of  battery  and  regimental  officers,  with  so  many  of  their 
men,  struck  deep  into  my  heart.  My  thinned  ranks  told  the  woeful 
tale  of  the  fierce  struggles,  indescribable  by  words,  through  which  my 
division  had  passed  since  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning;  and  this  added 
to  our  hungry  and  exhausted  condition,  was  naturally  disheartening." 
(Vol.  I,  Sheridan's  Memoirs,  pages  234-5.) 

"And  when  later  in  the  day  the  storm  of  battle  rolled  around  to 
our  center  and  left,  falling  heavily  on  Palmer's  and  Wood's  divisions, 
Rosecrans  was  there,  directing,  encouraging,  and  steadying,  though 
the  head  of  his  chief  of  staff  was  blown  to  pieces  by  a  shell  while 
riding  by  the  general's  side,  and  three  or  four  others  of  his  staff,  or 
escort,  were  wounded — one  of  them  mortally — and  as  many  more  lost 
their  horses."  (American  Conflict,  Vol.  II,  page  278.) 


"PANIC"   AMONG    WILD  ANIMALS.  141 


CHAPTER  IV. 

STONE  RIVER  —  CAMPS  BRADLEY  AND  SCHAEFER — CAMP-LIFE — 
PICKET  DUTY  —  FORWARD  MOVEMENT  —  ALL  SORTS  OF  DUTY 
AND  EXPERIENCE  —  ON  TO  CHICKAMAUGA  —  CHATTANOOGA — 
MISSIONARY  RIDGE — EAST  TENNESSEE — CLOSE  OF  RECORD  FOR 
THE  YEAR  1863. 

IN  the  preceding  chapter,  though  considerable  space 
is  devoted  to  the  active  work  of  the  73d  in  the  battle 
of  Stone  River,  yet  very  many  interesting  if  not  im- 
portant matters  are  not  only  not  described,  but  not 
mentioned.  Among  these,  of  merely  an  interesting  kind, 
the  "demoralization"  of  the  wild  turkeys,  and  the 
"panic"  among  the  rabbits,  might  be  classed.  Never, 
before  December  31,  1862,  had.  the  natural  and  peace- 
ful occupants  of  the  dense  cedar  thickets  been  disturbed 
by  a  commotion  so  great,  so  unnatural,  and  appalling, 
as  that  created,  on  that  day,  near  Murfreesboro.  In 
their  apparent  supreme  dread  and  terror,  turkeys  and 
rabbits  might  have  been  caught  by  the  participants  in 
the  deadly  combat.  Smaller  birds  fluttered,  and  shrieked 
unnaturally  and  piteously,  so  great  was  their  consterna- 
tion and  fear.  The  deafening  roar  of  the  cannon,  the 
incessant  rattle  of  small  arms,  the  demon-like  yell  of 
men  in  the  charging  lines,  and  the  clouds  of  drifting 
smoke,  presented  a  scene  which  no  words  or  picture 
can  fully  portray.  No  wonder,  then,  that  the  peaceful 
and  retiring  denizens  of  the  free  forests  and  air  shrank 
from  or  amid  the  pandemonium  of  strife  which  raged 
on  that  memorable  day. 


142  LINE  OF  BATTLE  DESCRIBED. 

Between  the  ending  of  active  operations  of  the  regi- 
ment on  December  31,  1862,  an<l  the  beginning  of  the 
same  on  January  1,  1863,  but  little  time  intervened. 
The  raiding,  burning,  cutting  and  slashing,  threatening, 
yelling,  and  hurrahing,  by  the  enemy's  cavalry  in  our 
rear  during  the  battle,  prevented  our  getting  our  last 
supper  of  1862,  until  the  beginning  of  the  year  1863, 
as  already  indicated.  At  three  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  January  1st,  our  brigade  received  orders  to  leave  its 
fires,  and  take  position  in  line  of  battle.  On  the  way, 
ammunition  was  issued  to  us,  one  hundred  rounds  to 
the  man,  including  what  was  left  over  from  last  year's 
supply.  The  line  of  battle,  as  selected  by  General 
Rosecrans,  has  been  likened  in  shape  to  a  horseshoe. 
We  find  this  description  of  it  in  Captain  Kyger's  diary: 

"  Commencing  at  the  north,  on  the  left  wing,  running  thence 
south,  nearly  straight,  through  a  field  or  fields,  then  turning  south- 
west, striking  timber  and  rough  rocky  ground,  and  also  running 
nearly  straight  to  the  right  of  the  center,  when  it  turns  nearly  to 
the  north-west,  along  a  slightly  undulating  piece  of  ground,  where 
there  is  a  good  natural  fortification,  hidden  by  cedar  trees,  and  in 
front  of  which  is  a  cotton-field,  which  the  enemy  will  be  com- 
pelled to  cross  in  order  to  attack, — here  is  where  our  division  is 
posted,  the  73d  immediately  in  rear  of  the  44th ;  to  the  right  of 
our  brigade,  also  to  the  left,  a  heavy  battery  is  posted;  the  line 
running  beyond  our  position  a  short  distance  before  turning  di- 
rectly west,  and  extending  about  one-half  mile  in  that  direction ; 
thence  south,  forming — after  leaving  off  the  first  line — the  remain- 
der, nearly  in  the  shape  of  a  dipper." 

This  dipper  and  a  horseshoe,  we  imagine,  would  bear 
little,  if  any,  resemblance  to  each  other.  If  the  CM  plain's 
description  prescribed  the  length  of  each  straight  line, 
il  might  be  approximately  correct.  It  is  quite  safe  to 
say  that  the  line  of  battle  was  so  formed  and  shaped, 


SAD  SCENES.  143 

January  1,  1863,  as  to  admit  of  quickly  strengthening 
or  re-enforcing  any  threatened  point  in  it,  from  some 
other  point.  In  the  diary  just  quoted  we  find  this 
statement : 

"  The  object  of  the  dipper  form  of  the  line  is  to  have  the 
enemy  subject  to  a  cross-fire,  both  from  our  artillery  and  infantry, 
provided  he  can  be  drawn  out  to  make  an  attack." 

At  d;iylight  we  began  building  breastworks,  using 
stone  and  logs  and  other  material  in  their  construction. 
At  sunrise  our  batteries  on  the  left  opened  on  the  enemy 
with  a  heavy  fire.  The  enemy  did  not  move  out  to 
attack,  as  he  had  seemed  so  eager  to  do  the  day  before, 
nor  did  his  artillery  reply.  During  the  cannonade  we 
were  watching  for  the  enemy  to  show  himself,  but  he 
neglected  to  do  so.  After  the  cannonade,  we  resumed 
the  building  of  breastworks,  placing  cedar  boughs  in 
front  and  along  the  top,  to  mask  them.  Near  this  posi- 
tion a  hard  struggle  occurred  the  day  before.  The  reb- 
els made  several  ineffectual  charges,  but  were  driven 
back  with  loss.  In  the  cotton-field,  as  they  fell  back, 
showers  of  balls  were  sent  after  them  with  telling  effect, 
leaving  the  ground  strewn  with  their  dead  and  wounded. 
But  there  was  some  loss  on  our  side.  Many  of  our 
brave  boys  fell.  Nine  of  them  were  lying  cold  in  death 
near  us,  awaiting  the  simple,  unceremonious  burial  ac- 
corded a  soldier  on  the  field  of  battle.  Some  of  them 
looked  as  though  they  had  just  fallen  asleep — eyes  closed, 
hands  at  their  sides,  and  countenances  unruffled.  Others 
appeared  as  if  their  last  moments  had  been  spent  in 
extreme  pain  —  eyes  open,  and  apparently  ready  to 
jump  from  their  sockets;  hands  grasping  some  portion 
of  their  garments,  and  their  features  all  distorted  and 
changed.  It  was  a  sight  sickening  to  look  upon  or  to 


144  SOME  PRISONERS  "  TAKEN  IN." 

contemplate,  and  one  from  which  a  sympathetic  heart 
would  quickly  turn  away. 

Near  noon,  work  on  the  breastworks  was  discon- 
tinued, and  our  New-Year's  dinner  was  prepared  and 
eaten.  The  dinner  was  very  plain  and  simple,  consist- 
ing of  crackers,  coffee,  and  bacon.  Quiet  prevailed  up 
to  about  3.30  o'clock  P.  M.,  at  which  time  skirmishing 
along  the  entire  front  commenced,  the  intention  being 
to  bring  on  a  general  engagement.  At  3.45  o'clock  a 
rebel  brigade  of  infantry  was  observed  slipping  along 
behind  a  fence  and  some  negro  quarters,  with  the  in- 
tention, evidently,  of  doing  little  less  than  surprising 
and  capturing  our  skirmishers  or  making  a  charge  ;  but 
our  skirmishers  were  wide  awake,  discovered  their  move- 
ment, and  commenced  firing  and  retreating  slowly  toward 
the  fortifications.  As  soon  as  the  rebels  came  within 
range  of  the  infantry,  Colonel  Roberts's  brigade,  to  our 
left,  commenced  firing,  in  which  our  brigade  and  the 
artillery  quickly  joined,  hurling  deadly  missiles  so 
thickly  on  the  enemy's  advance,  that  in  ten  minutes' 
time  he  commenced  retreating.  In  this  little  affair  our 
brigade  lost  two  men  killed.  One  of  them  belonged 
to  Company  A  of  the  73d.  At  four  o'clock  P.  M.  our 
skirmishers  were  again  advanced.  They  passed  over  a 
part  of  the  ground  where  the  rebels  had  been  routed, 
and  (bund  sixty  of  them  in  a  ravine  waiting  to  give 
themselves  up.  On  being  brought  into  our  lines,  and 
near  our  breastworks,  all  but  two  or  three  of  them  took 
off  their  hats  and  gave  three  hearty  cheers  for  the 
Union.  The  two  or  three  who  failed  to  cheer  the  Union, 
hurrahed  for  Jeff.  Davis.  From  other  points  farther  to 
our  front  prisoners  were  brought  in,  making  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  in  all.  On  our  left,  at  five  o'clock 


WE  REMAIN  IN  OUR  FORTIFICATIONS.  145 

P.  M.,  our  artillery  again  shelled  the  woods,  but  elicited 
no  reply.  At  dark  we  were  ordered  to  extinguish  all 
our  fires  and  lie  behind  our  fortifications  in  readiness 
for  attack  at  any  moment.  Thus  ended  the  first  day 
of  1863 — a  good  long  one  to  us. 

During  the  day  we  had  failed  to  witness  the  long 
brown,  or  "butternut,"  lines  of  Confederates  emerge 
from  cover  and  advance  with  regularity,  precision,  and 
steadiness  upon  us,  as  we  had  on  the  preceding  day. 
It  was  a  grand,  though  not  a  comforting,  spectacle 
which  the  long  rows  of  gun-barrels  and  bayonets  of  the 
enemy  presented  while  moving  forward  in  the  bright 
sunlight  of  December  31,  1862.  Why  were  we  not 
treated  to  such  a  pageant  on  January  1,  1863?  We 
were  better  fixed  for  enjoying  it,  or  spoiling  it.  Prob- 
ably the  enemy  thought  it  was  his  time  to  witness  a 
show.  If  he  had  come  on  we  could  have  soon  shown 
him  what  we  had — a  strong,  defensive  position. 

During  the  night  of  January  1st  rain  fell,  and  the 
morning  of  the  2d  was  cheerless  and  gloomy.  Along 
our  front  firing  began  early,  biit  there  was  no  response 
by  the  enemy  until  ten  o'clock,  and  then  for  a  brief 
time  only,  and  to  no  effect.  The  regiment,  and  brigade 
as  well,  strengthened  the  works,  and  received  orders  to 
defend  them  to  the  last  extremity.  General  Rosecrans 
seemed  determined  not  only  to  offset  the  misfortunes 
of  December  31st,  but  also  to  contend  for  the  objective 
point  of  the  campaign.  The  motto  of  the  regiment, 
"  Murfreesboro  or  die,"  as  suggested  by  Major  Presson 
early  on  Wednesday  morning,  was  recalled  on  this  Fri- 
day. It  was  on  this  date,  January  2d,  that  Breckin- 
ridge  made  his  persistent  and  desperate  effort  to  crush 

Crittenden's   lines.     The   rebels   bore    down   in  heavy 

10 


146  ATTACK  ON  CRITTENDEN. 

masses,  driving  Crittenden's  forces  some  distance  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  From  our  position  we  could  dis- 
tinctly hear  the  "  yelling."  All  the  artillery  that  could 
be  brought  to  bear  on  the  enemy,  including  two  sixty- 
four-pounders,  opened  fire.  General  Crittenden  rallied 
his  men,  made  a  bayonet  charge,  and  drove  the  enemy 
back  across  Stone  River.  He  captured  ten  pieces  of 
artillery,  two  stands  of  colors,  and  some  twelve  hun- 
dred prisoners.  The  number  killed  in  the  engagement 
was  estimated  in  the  proportion  of  five  of  the  enemy 
to  two  of  Crittenden's  forces.  The  engagement  lasted 
one  hour  and  a  half,  and  for  the  time  is  thought  to  be 
the  most  destructive  of  any  of  the  series  before  Mur- 
freesboro.  Hazen's  brigade  (if  no  more),  of  Davis's 
division,  passed  from  the  right  wing,  in  our  rear, 
and  went  to  re-enforce  Crittenden.  Colonel  John  F, 
Miller,  of  Negley's  division,  by  his  skill  and  presence 
of  mind  in  an  emergency,  contributed  largely  to  the 
winning  of  the  victory.  Miller  died,  a  year  or  more 
ago,  from  the  effects  of  diseases  contracted  during  his 
army  service.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  United 
States  Senator  from  California. 

Immediately  after  the  repulse  of  the  enemy  from 
Crittenden's  front,  General  Sheridan  passed  along  the 
entire  front  of  his  division,  on  foot,  warning  his  troops 
to  be  watchful,  vigilant,  and  determined ;  to  hold  their 
ground  at  all  hazards,  and  at  whatever  cost.  He  was 
then  fully  expecting  the  rebels  to  assault  his  part  of 
the  line,  having  failed  on  the  left.  It  was  reasonable 
to  suppose  the  enemy  was  feeling  for  a  weak  point  in 
our  front. 

The  night  ot  January  2d,  the  73d  was  ordered  out 
on  picket.     Companies  I  and  C  were  the  reserve  to  the 


A  RECONNOISANCE— HUNTING  FOR  THE  ENEMY.   147 

remainder  of  the  regiment,  which  was  posted  on  the 
line.  This  was  something  for  the  two  companies  to 
"  chuckle  "  over — that  is,  for  a  while,  until  after  rain 
commenced  falling,  and  orders  came  from  General  Rose- 
crans  for  the  reserves  to  the  pickets  to  pass  out  beyond 
the  lines,  deploy  as  skirmishers,  and  advance  until  the 
enemy's  pickets  were  found,  or  until  it  was  ascertained 
that  the  enemy  had  retreated.  The  two  companies, 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Bazell,  of  the  2d  Mis- 
souri, passed  the  picket-line,  then  deployed  as  skir- 
mishers, the  men  five  paces  apart.  They  then  moved 
steadily  forward,  going  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  across 
a  corn-field,  halting  several  times  on  the  way.  Our 
instructions  were  not  to  fire  at  all,  even  if  fired  on, 
but  to  retreat  immediately,  the  object  of  the  move  being 
to  find  if  the  rebels  were  still  in  our  front.  Just  at 
the  edge  of  the  corn-field  we  came  right  on  to  the  rebel 
pickets,  not  more  than  ten  paces  distant  at  many  points. 
The  rebels  called  put  "  Halt ! "  and  almost  instantly 
fired  on  us.  Some  two  or  three  of  Company  C  fired, 
contrary  to  orders,  before  they  fell  back.  We  went 
"skedaddling"  back  through  the  corn-stalks  quite  rap- 
idly. A  sharp  fire  at  our  backs  hurried  us  considerably. 
The  rebels  pursued  us,  and  kept  firing  at  us  until  we 
arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  our  pickets.  A  few  of  the 
two  companies,  who  were  a  little  late  returning  from 
the  Confederate  side  of  the  corn-field,  were  fired  on  by 
our  pickets.  All  of  the  two  companies  returned  un- 
hurt to  the  point  from  which  they  started,  although 
the  numerous  balls*  sent  after  them  made  quite  a 
rattling  among  the  corn-stalks.  Such  duty  as  this  was 
rarely  required,  being  deemed  extra  hazardous.  Rose- 
crans  caused  a  number  of  old  houses  (negro  quarters) 


148  THE  ENEMY  FALLS  BACK. 

to  be  burned,  so  as  to  make  a  light  to  serve  us  as  a 
guide  in  falling  back.  On  arriving  at  our  reserve  post 
we  remained  there  until  morning,  exposed  to  a  cold 
rain.  We  were  compelled  to  keep  stirring  in  order  to 
keep  from  chilling.  At  daylight  on  the  3d  of  Janu- 
ary we  were  relieved. 

Rain  continued  falling  on  the  3d,  and  the  weather 
was  chilling  to  the  overtaxed  and  half-fed  soldiers. 
Some  who  were  sick,  or  had  been  weakened  by  ex- 
posure or  hardship  unduly  proportioned  to  their  phys- 
ical strength,  were  compelled  to  give  up  and  consent  to 
go  to  the  hospital.  A  rumor  was  current  along  our  line  to 
the  effect  that  the  rebels  were  evacuating  Murfreesboro. 
The  woods  were  vigorously  shelled,  but  the  enemy 
made  no  reply.  General  Rosecrans  had  fires  built  along 
our  line ;  then  a  heavy  line  of  skirmishers  was  sent 
beyond  to  attack  the  enemy's  pickets.  In  due  time 
the  latter  were  discovered.  Our  skirmishers  fired,  then 
fell  back  slowly,  the  enemy  following  in  considerable 
force,  until  our  skirmishers  reached  the  point,  from 
whence  they  started.  The  enemy  retired,  under  a  brisk 
fire  from  our  pickets,  which  closed  the  record  for  the 
day,  January  3d. 

Before  midnight  the  Confederates  began  their  retreat 
from  Murfreesboro;  trains  and  non-combatants,  no 
doubt,  starting  earlier.  They  fell  buck  to  Shelby ville 
and  Tullahoma,  erected  defenses,  and  went  into  winter- 
quarters  again.  No  very  determined  pursuit  of  the 
retreating  rebels  was  attempted.  Their  rear  was  hur- 
ried up  a  little  for  a  distance  of  six  or  eight  miles. 

January  4th,  details  of  men  were  sent  out  to  bury 
the  dead,  though  some  work  in  this  line  was  done  as 
late  as  the  6th.  The  terrible  strain  of  a  week  of  battles 


COMPARISON  OF  LOSSES— NOTABLE  BATTLE.      149 

was  at  an  end.  For  losses  sustained  by  the  73d  during 
the  week,  consult  the  roster  found  in  chapter  i.  How- 
ever, the  roster  does  not  give  all  the  credit  due,  many 
of  the  slight  wounds  not  being  noted. 

Rosecrans's  effective  force,  of  all  arms,  on  this  cam- 
paign, is  placed  at  43,400  men,  and  Bragg's  at  46,000. 
Bragg's  report  made  the  number  of  men  under  his 
command,  at  the  beginning  of  the  fight,  only  35,000. 
It  is  estimated  that  each  army  lost,  during  the  week, 
fully  twenty-five  per  cent  of  its  numbers.  Rosecrans 
made  his  losses  to  foot  up  1,533  killed;  7,245  wounded; 
2,800  captured ;  total,  11,578.  He  also  places  the 
total  of  Bragg's  losses  at  14,560,  the  latter  admitting 
a  loss  of  10,000.  As  permanent  results  of  the  cam- 
paign, Nashville,  and  Tennessee  northward  from  that 
point,  and  the  whole  of  Kentucky,  wer"e  saved  to  the 
Union. 

Stone  River  was  one  of  the  notable  battles  of  the 
war,  if  not  one  of  the  greatest,  and  is  entitled  to  hon- 
orable and  full  consideration  at  the  hands  of  impartial 
historians. 

A  brief  summing  up  of  the  contest  around  Murfrees- 
boro,  by  Horace  Greeley,  at  page  282,  Vol.  II,  of  his 
"American  Conflict,"  reads  as  follows  : 

"It  is  a  fair  presumption  that  our  losses,  both  in  men  (pris- 
oners included)  and  material,  were  greater  than  those  of  the 
rebels;  and  that  Rosecrans  was  disabled  by  those  losses  for  any 
effective  pursuit ;  but  this  does  not  and  can  not  demolish  the  fact, 
that  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  so  gallantly,  obstinately,  desper- 
ately fought,  was  lost  to  Bragg  and  the  rebels,  and  won  by  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  and  its  heroic  commander." 

In  support  of  the  theory  that  the  Confederate  losses 
at  Stone  River  were  greater  than  the  Federal,  it  may 


150  RE-EN  FOR  CEMEN  TS  FROM  NASH  VI LL  E. 

be  mentioned  that  the  rebels  in  several  instances  rushed 
on  to  our  forces,  not  only  in  double  and  triple  lines 
of  battle,  but  charged  two,  three,  or  more  times  in 
dense  masses,  thus  affording  to  our  troops,  infantry  and 
artillery,  a  fine  opportunity  to  inflict  a  much  heavier 
loss  than  they  received.  As  a  sample  of  this  kind  of 
fighting,  we  instance  the  assault  by  Breckinridge's  corps 
on  Crittenden's,  of  which  General  Rosecrans,  in  his 
report,  says  :  "  The  enemy  retreated  more  rapidly  than 
he  had  advanced.  In  twenty  minutes  he  had  lost  two 
thousand  men."  In  that  action  our  forces  lost  not  ex- 
ceeding eight  hundred  men. 

On  January  4th,  Sunday,  a  few  members  of  the  regi- 
ment who  had  been  back  to  Nashville,  came  up.  It  is 
just  to  say  that  some,  if  not  all,  of  these  men,  while  in 
the  rear,  got  an  exaggerated  idea  of  the  "  desperateness " 
of  the  Federal  situation,  and,  thinking  all  was  lost,  be- 
took themselves  to  Nashville.  On  learning  their  mis- 
take, many  of  them  promptly  returned  to  the  regiment. 
Some  returned,  no  doubt,  on  purpose  to  help  "  holler," 
and  say, "  We  killed  a  bear." 

Many  of  our  soldiers  were  captured  and  paroled 
while  making  their  way  to  Nashville;  others  were  cap- 
tured by  the  enemy's,  and  then  recaptured  by  our  cav- 
alry. Portions  of  our  train  were  taken,  and  then  retaken. 
In  the  rear  of  our  right  wing,  on  December  31st,  there 
was  a  "free-for-all"  scramble.  Uncertainty  as  to  who 
held  sway  or  "ruled  the  roast,"  and  confusion  generally, 
prevailed. 

By  Sunday,  January  4th,  a  degree  of  quietude  ob- 
tained, which  was  in  agreeable  and  striking  contrast 
with  the  uproar  and  jargon  of  the  week  which  ended 
with  the  3d. 


INCIDENT— CAMP  BRADLEY  LOCATED.  151 

The  thoughts,  reflections,  and  emotions  which  came 
to  the  minds  of  those  soldiers  detailed  to  go  over  the 
battle-field  on  that  quiet  Sabbath  day,  and  bury  their 
late  comrades  in  arms,  can  not  be  expressed,  or  even 
conjectured.  Language,  sometimes  so  utterly  inadequate 
to  do  the  duty  with  which  we  would  charge  it,  fails  us 
in  a  case  like  this.  In  battle,  one  brief  moment  suffices 
to  change  a  form,  full  of  life  and  manly  vigor,  to  an 
inanimate  clod  of  the  valley. 

On  January  6th,  the  regiment,  with  the  brigade  and 
division,  forsook  the  "line  of  battle"  and  position  held 
by  it  since  the  1st,  marched  through  Murfreesboro,  and 
on  to  a  piece  of  woods,  and  went  regularly  into  camp. 
As  we  marched  through  the  town,  we  passed  one  of 
the  Confederate  hospitals,  in  front  of  which  a  number 
of  able-bodied  "Johnnies"  -were  standing,  watching  us. 
A  soldier  of  the  73d  spoke  up  and  said  :  "Johnny, 
what  made  you  leave  Murfreesboro?"  "We  haven't 
left  yet,"  one  of  the  Johnnies  replied.  "  But  what  made 
your  army,  what  made  Bragg  leave  here  ?"  persisted 
our  man.  "  Our  army  left  here  on  account  of  the  small- 
pox; the  small-pox  got  among  our  troops,"  the  Johnny 
answered,  thinking  to  terrify  or  scare  our  man.  "  I 
know  better  than  that;  I  know  how  it  came  that  your 
army  left  here.  It  left  here  on  account  of  the  small 
bullets." 

The  camp  we  first  stopped  at  near  Murfreesboro  was 
named  Camp  Bradley.  The  Sibley  tents  arrived  from 
Nashville,  and  were  put  up  in  order.  The  shelter-tent 
was  temporarily  "  relegated  "  to  the  bunks,  to  await  the 
opening  of  the  next  campaign.  On  January  7th,  a 
small  squad  of  Company  C,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Kyger,  went  to  the  battle-field,  and  sought  the  remains 


152  AFTER  THE  BATTLE— CAMP-LIFE. 

of  Dye  and  Yoho,  and  buried  them.  These  comrades 
had  fallen  near  each  other,  in  the  edge  of  the  cedar 
woods;  and  it  was  feared,  or  at  least  supposed,  their 
bodies  had  been  overlooked  by  the  burial  parties  sent 
out  on  Sunday ;  hence  the  detail,  or  volunteer  squad, 
went  to  look  after  them  specially. 

By  the  middle  of  January,  matters  had  become  ad- 
justed, and  the  routine  of  camp  life  and  duty  was  re- 
established, about  as  we  had  experienced  it  at  Mill 
Creek. 

In  pursuance  of  recommendations  made  by  General 
Rosecrans  in  a  general  order,  the  following  named  sol- 
diers of  the  73d  were  chosen  or  designated  as  being 
entitled  to  the  distinction  of  having  their  names  placed 
on  a  roll  of  honor. 

On  this  roll  Major  William  A.  Presson  represented 
the  field-officers. 

Lieutenant  W.  H.  Dodge,  Company  G,  and  Captain 
W.  E.  Smith,  Company  A,  were  chosen  from  among  the 
line  officers. 

Company  A — Sergeant  T.  C.  Perry;  Corporal  H.  M. 
Cass;  Privates  Richard  Baker,  Edward  Cantrill,  Joseph 
Baughman,  Jeremiah  C.  Ham,  Richard  B.  Oliver. 

Company  B — Sergeant  D.  B.  Dillon ;  Corporal  Daniel 
J.  Reid  ;  Privates  Joel  Isenberg,  Cyrus  M.  Glaze,  Peter 

B.  Few,  Gilbert  Harbison,  Joseph  A.  Hunt. 
Company  C — Sergeant  W.  H.  Newlin;    Corporal  A. 

C.  Nicholson  ;    Privates  Wesley  Bishop,  John  R.  Burke, 
Charles  W.  Cook,  Robert  J.  Hasty,  Aaron  Willison. 

Company  D — Sergeant  H.  M.  Alvord ;  Corporal  Allen 
Wiley  ;  Privates  Elias  M.  Miller,  John  Weddle,  L.  M. 
McArdle,  John  M.  Albert,  Jonas  B.  Garver. 

Company  E — Sergeant  Townsend  Hendrickson ;  Cor- 


A  ROLL  OF  HONOR.  153 

poral  John  Justice;  Privates  Benj.  F.  Kirkley,  Charles 
Harvey,  William  H.  Burk,  Perkins  Elliott,  S.  M.  Busby. 

Company  F — Sergeant  John  Spindler;  Corporal 
Robert  Z.  McBride;  Privates  William  H.  Van  Meter, 
Henry  McBride,  William  Boyer,  George  Dudney,  John- 
son W.  Wright. 

Company  G — Sergeant  William  T.  Talbott;  Corporal 
J.  P.  Goodwin;  Privates  William  H.  Little,  J.  E. 
Bailey,  James  W.  Davis,  William  T.  Purnell,  George 
Swackhammer. 

Company  H — Sergeant  William  Cammire;  Cor- 
poral Isaac  Lytle ;  Privates  Alpheus  Winegar,  Arch- 
ibald Goodwin,  David  Turnicliff,  Edward  Penston. 

Company  I — Sergeant  William  H.  Gamble;  Corporal 
William  H.  Denning;  Privates  Benjamin  Schaffner, 
Hiram  T.  Coffman,  James  V.  Hinds,  James  0.  Weir, 
Calvin  J.  Hinman. 

Company  K — Sergeant  D.  M.  Davis;  Corporal  Ed. 
T.  Brown;  Privates  James  M.  Murray,  Henry  Nosley, 
Elijah  Stacy,  George  Kolb,  William  M.  Karnes. 

The  other  regiments,  many  of  them,  acted  on  this 
recommendation.  The  propriety  of  selecting  a  few  for 
special  mention  from  among  many  who  had  done 
equally  well  in  the  day  of  trial  was  discussed,  but  not 
particularly  objected  to,  in  view  of  the  stimulus  it 
might  give  to  soldiers  in  deporting  themselves  in  a 
faithful  and  steady  way  in  the  next  engagement.  To 
those  whose  names  were  placed  upon  this  roll  the  se- 
lection served  as  a  certificate  of  good  conduct  in  the 
last  battle,  while  at  the  same  time  it  was  encourage- 
ment to  them  and  all  others  to  conduct  themselves 
worthily  in  the  next.  Rolls  of  honor,  later  on  in  the 
war,  contained  only  the  names  of  those  who  were 


1 54      ROUTINE  D UTY—INFORMA TION  CALLED  FOR. 

wounded  or  lost  their  lives  in  battle.  This  left  the 
selection  to  chance,  and  not  to  the  judgment  or  choice 
of  comrades,  which  was  better.  The  daily  routine  of 
duties,  camp,  forage,  fatigue,  and  picket  duty,  did  not 
vary  much  while  we  were  at  Camp  Bradley. 

During  the  latter  part  of  January,  and  through 
February,  the  monotony  of  camp-life  was  burdensome 
at  times.  There  were  several  causes  which  contrib- 
uted to  this.  Nothing  was  done  or  attempted,  except 
that  which  was  absolutely  necessary.  This,  of  course, 
made  the  variety  of  duty  and  experience  somewhat 
limited,  and  tended  likewise  to  repetition  and  sameness 
day  after  day.  Unfavorable  weather  and  mud  seemed 
to  forbid  the  originating  of  plans  that  might  not,  or 
could  not,  be  carried  out.  A  number  of  the  regiment 
died  during  the  months  of  January  and  February  and 
later  on.  Some  died  in  hospitals  at  Murfreesboro ; 
others  died  at  Nashville.  Disease  contracted  was  the 
cause  of  death  in  some  cases,  though  wounds  inflicted 
at  Stone  River  continued  to  prove  fatal.  Letters  from 
the  North,  written  by  the  relatives  and  immediate  friends 
of  those  who  had  been  killed  in  battle,  or  had  since 
died  of  wounds  or  disease,  were  received 'by  members 
of  one  or  another  of  the  companies  almost  daily. 
These  letters  called  for  information,  and  not  only  that, 
but  for  particulars  respecting  the  disposition  of  the 
bodies  of  those  who  had  been  killed  or  had  died. 
Many  letters  were  written  by  the  soldiers  and  sent 
North,  with  all  information  and  particulars  that  could 
be  obtained.  Then  came  other  letters  from  the  North, 
making  further  inquiries,  and  seeking  or  proposing  a 
removal  of  the  remains  of  the  dead  thither.  While 
this  correspondence  occupied  the  time  to  some  extent, 


VISITORS  FROM  THE  NORTH.  155 

it  also  kept  the  minds  of  the  soldiers  on  the  sad  and 
solemn  side  of  army  life  and  on  home  and  home  scenes, 
associations,  and  friends.  A  few  citizens  from  different 
parts  of  Illinois,  at  dates  between  January  15th  and 
April  1,  1863,  visited  the  regiment,  also  the  battle-field, 
the  hospitals,  and  the  cemeteries.  .The  remains  of  a 
number  of  soldiers  were  disinterred  at  the  cemeteries, 
and  in  some  cases  at  the  battle-field — where  the  graves 
were  certainly  marked — and  taken  to  Illinois  and  other 
States  and  reinterred.  The  interest  manifested  by  most 
of  these  citizens  in  the  welfare  of  the  soldiers  was  very 
deep  and  earnest;  their  sympathy  and  zeal  for  the  fam- 
ilies bereft  of  a  husband,  father,  son,  or  brother  was 
touching  and  significant.  It  assured  us  that  we',  as  sol- 
diers, were  not  alone  in  enduring  hardships,  and  suffer- 
ing the  pangs  of  bereavement,  and  bearing  the  burdens 
of  sorrow  and  grief,  which  the  cruel  war  caused.  In- 
deed, we  had  comparatively  little  of  this  at  the  front. 
Being  occupied  and  preoccupied  with  the  business  in 
hand  or  in  expectancy,  we  did  not  long  dwell  upon, 
nurse,  or  encourage  our  griefs.  If  a  comrade  was  killed, 
we  passed  on  or  fell  back;  if  he  was  wounded,  he  either 
went  or  was  sent  to  the  rear.  Always  in  times  of  bat- 
tle, and  for  some  time  after,  the  rear  extended,  in  one 
sense  at  least,  far  to  the  North.  There  was  where  the 
interest,  anxiety,  and  solicitude  were  felt.  In  our  im- 
mediate rear  and  farther  north  was  where  care  for  the 
bodies  of  the  slain,  care  for  the  wounded,  the  sick,  and 
the  bereft,  was  had  or  taken.  The  United  States  Chris- 
tian, Sanitary,  and  other  commissions,  and  the  aid  so- 
cieties, the  great  work  performed  by  them  in  furnish- 
ing hospital  and  other  supplies,  the  product  of  the  toil 
of  millions  of  busy,  tireless  hands,  but  feebly  indicated 


156  A  RECONN018ANCE  IN  FORCE. 

the  depth  and  intensity  of  the  interest  felt  by  the  men 
and  women,  and  especially  by  the  women  of  the  North, 
for  those  who  suffered  and  sacrificed  for  the  holy  cause 
of  the  Union. 

General  Jeff.  C.  Davis,  with  his  division  and  two 
brigades  of  Minty's  cavalry,  had  made  a  reconnoissance 
westward  from  Murfreesboro,  about  the  middle  of  Feb- 
ruary, for  the  purposes  of  observation  or  possible  inter- 
ference with  movements  of  Wheeler's  Confederate  cavalry 
force,  one  hundred  and  forty-one  of  which,  including  two 
colonels,  he  captured;  then  he  returned  to  Murfrees- 
boro without  an  engagement,  and,  consequently,  with- 
out loss.  General  Sheridan,  with  our  division,  about 
the  4th  of  March,  started  on  a  similar  expedition,  going 
southward  nearly  to  Shelbyville,  then  turning  north- 
westward to  Franklin,  having  two  or  more  slight  skir- 
mishes with  inferior  forces  of  Forrest's  or  Van  Dorn's 
commands.  These  detachments  failing  to  make  a 
stand,  fled,  losing  in  all  about  one  hundred  men 
in  prisoners,  while  our  loss  did  not  exceed  ten,  all 
told.  The  73d,  as  a  matter  of  course,  accompanied 
this  expedition.  We  were  at  Eagleville;  also  at 
Spring  Hill.  We  distinctly  remember  having  much  dif- 
ficulty in  getting  some  of  the  men  of  Company  C 
aroused  in  the  morning  after  our  halt  over  night  at 
Eagleville,  when  we  were  suddenly  called  to  resume 
our  march.  We  were  out  ten  days  from  Murfreesboro 
on  this  jaunt,  and  were  kept  busily  employed,  moving 
early  and  late,  and  maintaining  a  keen  outlook  all  the 
while.  The  knowledge  of  the  country  gained  early  in 
1863  by  some  officers,  notably  by  George  W.  Patten, 
first  lieutenant  of  Company  B,  was  made  available  in 
November,  1864,  when,  as  captain  of  Company  I,  he 


MONOTONY  OF  CAMP  RELIEVED.  157 

was  selected  to  take  command  of  the  advance  guard, 
consisting  of  Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I,  when  falling 
back  from  Duck  River  to  Spring  Hill.  On  the  return 
march  we  made  twenty-three  miles  in  one  day,  starting 
shortly  after  sunrise  and  halting  at  about  five  P.  M. 

As  one  circumstance  which  occurred  about  this  time, 
to  divert  and  engage  the  attention  of  soldiers  and  relieve 
the  monotony  of  the  camp,  the  singing  of  war  songs 
and  other  patriotic  pieces,  by  one  citizen  singer,  named 
Locke,  may  be  mentioned.  He  was  an  excellent  singer, 
and  sang  with  such  zeal  and  earnestness  as  should  char- 
acterize a  zealous,  earnest,  and  patriotic  man.  He  went 
from  regiment  to  regiment,  and  from  camp  to  camrr,  and 
while  singing,  the  boys  would  gather  about  him  in  large 
numbers,  and  applaud  and  cheer,  and  insist  on  his  sing- 
ing still  more.  We  are  not  certain  now  about  it,  but 
our  recollection  is  that  Locke  accepted  money  tendered 
him,  but  did  not  beg  for  it.  At  any  rate,  his  singing 
served  as  an  inspiration  to  the  soldiers,  and  raised  their 
jaded  and  drooping  spirits,  which  was  of  no  little  worth 
in  those  tedious  days.  A  few  days  after  this  visit  of 
Locke's,  a  report  was  started  somewhere,  and  circulated 
through  camp,  to  the  effect  that  the  "patriotic  singer" 
was  no  less  than  a  rebel  spy.  The  report  was  never, 
so  far  as  we  know,  ascertained  to  have  any  foundation 
in  fact,  and  probably  originated  from  a  suggestion,  on 
the  part  of  some  one,  that  possibly  he  might  be  a  spy. 

When  the  mud  dried  up  so  as  to  admit  of  it,  com- 
pany and  regimental  drill  was  resumed,  and  this,  with 
the  necessary  camp  and  picket  duty,  and  occasional  for- 
age and  scouting  excursions,  served  to  occupy  the  time. 
On  one  forage  expedition,  which  was  accompanied  by  a 
detail  from  the  73d  and  other  regiments,  quite  a  stam- 


158  SOME  HUSTLING— CHANGE  OF  CAMP. 

pede  was  created,  and  the  train  came  back  to  camp 
empty,  and  had  to  hustle  to  get  off  that  well.  A  con- 
siderable force  of  rebels  suddenly  appeared,  and  proposed 
to  contest  with  us  for  the  "  fodder  "  we  were  just  ready 
to  lay  hold  of. 

We  have  no  data  at  hand  that  discloses  the  date  of 
our  change  of  camp,  from  Camp  Bradley  to  Camp  Schae- 
fer,  the  latter  named  in  memory  of  our  late  brigade 
commander,  killed  at  Stone  River.  The  move,  however, 
was  only  a  short  one,  and  was  made  some  time  during 
the  month  of  March.  At  Camp  Schaefer  the  shelter,  or 
"dog  tents,"  were  in  large  measure  substituted  for  the 
Sibley  tents.  As  a  sample  of  "  grape-vine  dispatches," 
we  recall  and  mention  the  dispatch  that  was  said  to 
have  been  received  which  announced  the  fall  of  Rich- 
mond. The  dispatch  arrived  at  our  camp  on  a  Sunday, 
just  before  noon,  and  interfered  with  the  preaching, 
almost  to  the  extent  of  "breaking  up  the  meeting." 
But  of  course  the  character  of  the  dispatch  soon  became 
known. 

We  had  become  fully  straightened  around  and  settled 
in  Camp  Schaefer  by  April  1st.  On  April  5th  an  inspec- 
tion of  arms  and  accouterments  by  companies  was  had 
at  nine  o'clock.  The  result  was  quite  satisfactory, 
everything  being  found  in  better  order  than  at  any 
previous  inspection.  The  inspection  was  concluded  with 
the  understanding  that  the  duties  of  the  day,  in  a  mil- 
itary way,  were  ended.  It  being  Sunday,  the  announce- 
ment was  made  that  there  would  be  preaching  at  three 
o'clock  P.  M.  At  one  company  head-quarters,  at  least, 
on  this  date,  an  extra  dinner,  consisting  of  biscuit,  fried 
ham,  onions,  tea,  and  apple-pie,  was  prepared.  But  lo! 
just  as  it  was  being  sat  down  to,  the  long  roll  sounded 


LONG  ROLL— A  SLIGHT  COMMOTION.  159 

at  ten  minutes  before  twelve  o'clock  M.  We  formed  in 
line  of  battle  immediately.  The  report  was  that  the 
rebels  were  advancing  on  us  from  Shelbyville.  Our 
brigade  marched  off  in  good  style,  keeping  step  to  the 
music.  As  we  crossed  the  Murfreesboro  and  Salem  pike, 
we  saw  one  of  Jeff.  C.  Davis's  brigades  coming  in  from 
outpost  duty  at  Salem.  This  was  deemed  an  indication 
that  we  would  be  attacked.  We  passed  on,  the  73d  in 
rear  of  the  brigade. 

Our  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  an  open 
field  on  the  north  bank  of  Stone  River.  We  stacked 
arms,  and  were  allowed  to  rest  in  place.  We  remamed 
in  position  until  two  o'clock,  when,  not  seeing  or  hear- 
ing anything  of  the  enemy,  we  marched  back  to  camp. 
This  move  was  considered  simply  as  an  experiment  to 
ascertain  how  speedily  the  army,  or  a  portion  of  it, 
could  be  gotten  out  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  an 
emergency.  Whether  an  experiment  or  not,  the  move- 
ment proved  satisfactory  to  Sheridan,  both  as  to  the 
time  and  manner  in  which  it  was  made. 

The  day  (Sunday,  April  5th)  was  very  pleasant  and 
beautiful.  April  6th,  not  so  pleasant,  being  more  like 
a  March  day.  Had  battalion  drill.  At  7.30,  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th,  we  went  on  picket;  relieved  the 
38th  Illinois.  Relieved  from  picket-line  on  the  8th,  at 
nine  o'clock,  by  the  35th  Illinois. 

At  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  9th,  we  received  orders 
to  have  four  days'  cooked  rations — two  in  haversacks 
and  two  in  wagon  —  and  be  ready  to  march  by  eight 
o'clock.  We  were  ready  on  time,  but  received  no  further 
orders,  and  remained  in  camp  during  the  day.  The  raid 
by  Van  Dorn,  and  his  attack  on  the  troops  stationed  at 
Franklin,  were  the  causes  of  the  precaution  taken.  In 


160  MUSTER— PICKET  D UTY  FIVE  DA  YS. 

compliance  with  an  order  from  the  President,  we  mus- 
tered on  the  10th,  the  object  being  to  inform  the  War 
Department  as  to  the  number  of  men  in  each  company, 
so  that  a  draft  might  be  made  to  fill  the  companies  up 
to  the  minimum  number,  if  any  were  lacking.  The 
muster  over,  we  were  ordered  to  go  on  outpost  picket 
two  miles  from  camp.  Left  Camp  Schaefer  at  eleven 
A.  M.,  and  found  the  weather  warm  and  the  road  dusty. 
We  halted  on  the  left  of  the  Salem  pike,  in  a  beautiful 
grove  of  large  timber.  The  leaves  were  beginning  to 
put  forth,  indicating  that  the  season  was  fully  three 
weeks  in  advance  of  the  season  in  Illinois.  Van  Dorn 
was  repulsed  at  Franklin,  losing  three  hundred  men 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  according  to  General 
Granger's  official  report;  the  loss  to  our  side  being  one 
hundred  men. 

The  2d  and  15th  Missouri  Regiments  were  on  picket 
on  the  10th,  and  up  to  one  o'clock  P.  M.  on  the  llth, 
when  the  44th  and  73d  relieved  them.  On  the  12th, 
Colonel  Jaquess  returned  to  the  regiment.  He  had 
been  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  other  points  North. 
We  stood  picket  on  the  13th,  and  up  to  one  o'clock 
P.  M.  of  the  14th.  On  the  15th  we  were  relieved  from 
the  outpost,  and  returned  to  camp.  Rain  fell,  and  the 
mud  became  abundant.  Taken  altogether,-  we  had  an 
agreeable  time  during  our  five  days'  picketing.  We 
were  very  glad,  however,  to  see  Camp  Schaefer  once 
more. 

On  April  16th,  General  Sheridan  was  presented  with 
an  elegant  sword  and  a  brace  of  pistols.  He  had  re- 
cently been  promoted  major-general.  In  accepting  the 
presents,  General  Sheridan  said  he  attributed  his  pro- 
motion to  the  bravery  of  the  division  at  Chaplin  Hills 


UNFOUNDED  RUMOR— A  RECONN01SANCE.  161 

and  Stone  River.  Nothing  noteworthy  occurred  on  the 
17th.  Saturday,  the  18th,  we  went  on  picket  at  the 
old  station  on  Stone  River.  Rain  fell  during  the  night; 
quite  a  storrn  prevailed.  We  were  relieved  from  picket 
at  nine  A.  M.  on  Sunday,  the  19th,  and  returned  to 
camp.  There  was  no  incident  or  event  of  importance 
on  the  20th,  except  that  Captain  Whiting  mustered  in 
some  officers  who  had  been  advanced  to  a  higher  grade. 
On  the  21st,  there  were  rumors  of  an  attack  by  the 
rebels,  which  proved  unfounded.  Had  battalion  drill 
in  the  forenoon  and  brigade  drill  in  the  afternoon. 

At  one  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  22d,  we  received  orders 
to  have  three  days'  rations  in  our  haversacks  and  be 
ready  to  march  promptly  at  seven  o'clock.  We  moved 
out  at  7.30,  not  knowing  our  destination.  We  went 
three  miles  on  the  Salem  pike;  then  we  turned  south, 
and  continued  in  that  direction  until  we  reached  a  point 
fully  eight  miles  from  camp.  Soon  after  we  left  the 
pike,  our  cavalry  drove  in  the  rebel  pickets.  Some 
skirmishing  took  place  during  the  afternoon  between 
the  rebel  cavalry  and  our  own.  Our  infantry  at  the 
front  also  fired  a  few  shots.  Near  night  the  44th  and 
73d  went  on  picket.  Before  we  got  our  line  established, 
rain  began  falling,  and  before  dark  the  enemy's  cavalry 
made  a  dash  on  ours,  but  were  soon  repulsed ;  one  of 
our  men  was  slightly  wounded.  As  pickets,  we  were 
required  to  take  extra  precautions  to  guard  against  sur- 
prise. Rain  continued  until  near  midnight.  At  one 
o'clock  A.  M.  word  was  received  that  the  enemy  was 
moving,  apparently  in  strong  force,  to  attack  us.  Col- 
onel Laibold  ordered  that  we  silently  withdraw  from 
our  picket-line  at  two  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  pass  out 

under  cover   of  darkness.      We  did  so  as  soon  as  the 

11 


162  SUPPLIED  WITH  ENFIELD  RIFLES. 

appointed  time  arrived;  and  later  we  were  making 
quick  time  through  the  darkness  and  mud.  At  day- 
break we  were  within  four  miles  of  Camp  Schaefer,  and 
at  6.30  we  arrived  there,  all  tired  enough. 

On  the  23d  the  sunshine  was  quite  warm,  and  the 
ground  was  very  damp  in  consequence  of  the  rain-fall 
of  the  previous  night.  Marching  orders  were  received 
at  ten  A.  M.  We  started  immediately  with  two  days' 
rations.  We  went  the  same  route  we  had  taken  on 
the  22d,  and  took  the  position  we  had  so  hastily  left 
early  in  the  morning.  The  2d  and  15th  Missouri  went 
on  picket.  We  had  some  little  skirmishing  on  the  way, 
but  no  casualties.  Our  position  was  in  a  heavy  tim- 
ber. We  received  orders  to  march  at  three  o'clock 
A.  M.  It  was  on  this  date,  April  23d,  that  we  drew 
Enfield  rifles,  exchanging  our  "  smooth-bore  "  muskets 
for  them.  At  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  24th,  we 
again  struck  out  for  camp.  We  arrived  within  two 
miles  of  camp  by  six  o'clock.  We  halted  and  took 
breakfast,  and  later  were  relieved  by  the  1st  Brigade. 
It  was  ascertained  that  our  recent  expedition  was 
part  of  a  plan  to  entrap  a  rebel  force  that  had  been 
for  some  time  hovering  around  in  the  neighborhood, 
watching,  for  an  opportunity  to  "gobble"  something; 
or  to  annoy  and  harass  our  advanced  pickets.  This 
force  was  too  wide  awake  to  be  trapped. 

At  seven  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  Saturday,  April  25th,  we 
went  on  picket  on  the  Shelbyville  pike.  Had  a  quiet 
time,  and  were  relieved  by  the  15th  Ohio  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  26th.  Rumors  in  camp  on  the 
27th,  to  the  effect  that  Bragg  "  will  very  soon  attack," 
to  which  but  little  credence  was  given.  On  the  28th 
we  had  brigade  drill  in  the  forenoon  and  battalion  drill 


THANKSGIVING— INSTALLMENT  OF  PAY  RECEIVED.  163 

in  the  afternoon.  Pay-rolls  received  some  little  atten- 
tion, too.  On  the  29th,  report  again  circulated  that 
Bragg  was  marching  on  us.  Orders  were  issued  requir- 
ing the  troops  to  keep  in  a  state  of  readiness.  The  pay 
and  muster  rolls  of  the  regiment  were  finished  up,  so 
we  were  in  readiness  for  our  pay  as  well  as  for  an 
attack.  Rain  fell  on  the  night  of  the  29th. 

Captain  Kyger,  then  first  lieutenant,  and  the  writer 
received  permission  to  visit  Murfreesboro,  April  30th. 
We  found  that  the  commissary  and  ordnance  stores  in 
the  town  were  being  removed  inside  the  fortifications. 
The  rebel  picket-line,  according  to  report,  was  advanced 
about  this  date,  and  placed  near  our  own.  The  same 
report  represented  that  Bragg  had  received  re-enforce- 
ments, and  that  he  would  surely  attack  Rosecrans. 

April  30th,  by  order  of  the  President,  being  Thanks- 
giving-day, we  attended  church,  and  heard  a  sermon  by 
Bishop  Rosecrans,  the  general's  brother.  The  general 
and  his  staff  were  in  attendance,  and  also  enough  other 
soldiers  to  crowd  the  church  to  its  fullest  capacity. 
The  services,  of  course,  were  conducted  according  to 
the  rules  and  usages  of  the  Catholic  Church.  General 
Rosecrans  conformed  strictly  to  the  custom  of  the 
Catholics,  and  appeared  to  be  not  only  an  interested 
but  a  devout  worshiper. 

Returned  to  camp  at  one  o'clock  P.  M.  At  four 
o'clock  the  regiment  mustered  for  pay,  and  was  paid 
off  by  Lieutenant  Krebs.  The  weather  was  all  that 
could  be  desired  by  soldiers,  on  Friday,  May  1st,  and 
there  was  no  incident  to  mark  the  date  specially.  The 
regiment  went  on  picket  at  7.30  A.  M.,  May  2d,  Com- 
panies I,  C,  and  H  occupying  the  old  post  on  the  pike. 
There  was  some  skirmishing  in  front;  no  damage 


164      CELEB RA  T10N— SPEECH  B  Y  MAJOR  DA  VIDSON. 

inflicted  on  our  skirmishers,  however.  We  were  relieved 
from  picket  at  nine  A.  M.  on  Sunday.  Went  to  camp, 
and  later  attended  meeting.  Colonel  Jaquess  gave  us 
a  good  sermon;  his  hearers  were  apparently  all  well 
pleased.  On  Monday,  May  4th,  we  had  brigade  drill. 
The  drill  was  witnessed  by  General  Alex.  McD. 
McCook,  our  corps  commander,  who  seemed  well  pleased 
with  it.  We  had  battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon.  Rain 
fell  during  the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  we  went  on  picket  two 
miles  from  camp.  The  44th  and  73d  were  on  the  line, 
the  2d  and  15th  Missouri  being  on  the  reserve  post. 
Were  on  picket  at  this  time  and  place  only  twenty- 
four  hours,  having  been  sent  out  in  pursuance  of  an 
arrangement  whereby  a  brigade,  out  on  the  Shelbyville 
pike,  was  to  be  accommodated.  At  nine  o'clock  on 
the  6th  we  were  relieved  by  the  1st  Brigade  ;  returned  to 
camp  in  order,  through  a  light  rain.  On  May  7th  and 
8th  we  had  drill,  and  on  Saturday,  the  9th,  went  on 
picket  again,  this  time  on  the  Shelbyville  pike.  Ten 
negroes  were  admitted  within  our  picket-lines  during 
the  day.  We  were  relieved  from  picket  on  Sunday, 
May  10th  at  nine  o'clock. 

The  second  anniversary  of  the  taking  of  Camp 
Jackson  was  celebrated  at  brigade  head-quarters.  The 
commissioned  officers  of  the  brigade,  and  some  officers 
of  the  51st  Illinois  and  24th  Wisconsin,  were  present. 
Major-General  P.  H.  Sheridan  and  staff  attended. 
After  music  by  the  bands,  Major  James  I.  Davidson, 
of  the  73d,  was  called  out  to  make  a  speech.  Then 
music  followed,  both  instrumental  and  vocal.  Lager- 
beer  was  partaken  of  by  those  who  liked  it  or  thought 
it  a  healthful  beverage.  Some  did  not  like  the  taste  of 


COLONEL  JA  Q  UESS '  SPEECH— FA  VORABLE  NEWS.    165 

it,  but  drank  it  for  their  health.  A  general  good  time 
was  had.  Then  Colonel  Jaquess  was  called  for.  The 
colonel  came  to  time,  and  selected  as  a  text,  "  Action." 
Davidson's  and  Jaquess's  speeches  pleased  Sheridan  and 
Laibold  very  much,  and  gave  satisfaction  all  around. 

No  drill  on  Monday,  May  llth.  The  day  was  spent 
in  providing  shade  for  the  tents  and  grounds  or  streets, 
through  or  by  the  use  of  leafy  boughs  of  trees  and 
brush.  The  job  of  shading  the  camp  continued 
and  was  completed  on  the  12th.  The  week  including 
May  12th  to  20th  passed  off  quietly,  being  marked  by 
no  incidents  of  special  interest.  Early  on  the  20th  we 
went  out  on  the  Salem  pike  to  do  picket  duty  for  a  few 
days.  All  camp  equipage  was  taken  along,  so  that,  in 
case  of  a  forward  movement,  we  could  join  it  without 
having  to  return  to  camp.  The  2d  and  15th  Missouri 
occupied  the  picket-line;  the  44th  and  73d  held  the 
reserve  outpost  behind  a  temporary  breastwork.  At 
dusk  orders  were  received  requiring  us  to  be  ready  to 
march  to  the  front  early  the  next  morning.  The  rebels 
were  reported  to  be  leaving  Shelby  ville  and  going  to  help 
hold  Vicksburg,  on  which  General  Grant  with  a  large 
force  was  marching.  News  was  received  to  the  effect 
that  Grant  had  taken  Jackson,  Mississippi,  on  the  14th 
inst.  The  soldiers  seemed  electrified  and  excited  by 
these  reports,  and  were  apparently  anxious  to  make  a 
forward  movement.  A  great  deal  of  talking  was  done 
and  much  speculation  indulged  in.  Our  camp-fires 
under  the  dense  green  foliage  of  the  grove  presented  a 
splendid  appearance,  and  they  were  kept  brightly  burn- 
ing until  a  late  hour.  We  arose  by  the  gray  dawn  of 
morning  on  May  21st,  and  had  our  breakfasts  by  sun- 
rise, ready  to  move  if  ordered  to  do  so.  All  quiet  at 


166  VA  LLANDIQHAM  SENT  SO  UTH. 

seven  A.  M.  No  further  signs  of  moving.  Went  on 
picket  at  eight  o'clock;  relieved  the  15th  Missouri.  At 
four  P.  M.  all  was  quiet;  no  signs  of  a  disturbance. 
At  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  a  brigade  of  cavalry  passed  out 
to  the  front  on  the  pike. 

May  22,  1863,  we  were  on  reserve  at  the  outpost 
picket  station.  At  sunrise  we  heard  firing  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Middletown.  Our  cavalry  dashed  into  and  sur- 
prised a  rebel  camp,  took  ninety  prisoners,  and  burned 
the  wagons  and  camp  equipage  belonging  to  the  enemy. 
Our  loss,  one  killed  and  one  wounded ;  the  rebel  loss,  ten 
killed ;  the  number  wounded  not  ascertained,  and  pris- 
oners as  above  stated.  This  surprise  occurred  about 
twelve  miles  south-west  of  Murfreesboro.  During  the 
afternoon  there  was  some  firing  along  the  outpost 
picket-line,  but  it  was  not  sufficient  to  alarm  the 
camp. 

"  Clement  L.  Vallandigham  arrived  at  Murfreesboro  at  ten 
.  o'clock  P.  M.,  of  May  21st,  by  special  train  from  Nashvillle.  He 
was  placed  under  a  strong  guard  at  the  quarters  of  the  provost- 
marshal,  and  detained  until  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
22d,  at  which  time  he  was  placed  in  a  carriage,  and,  accompanied 
by  Major  Wiles,  provost-marshal,  Colonel  McKibben,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Ducat,  and  Captain  Goodwin,  escorted  by  two  companies 
of  the  4th  Regular  Cavalry,  he  was  driven  to  a  house  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  our  extreme  outpost  pickets  and  detained  again  until  day- 
light. Then,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  the  guards  and  escort  went 
forward  with  their  prisoner  until  they  came  in  sight  of  the  Con- 
federate pickets.  After  a  parley  of  some  length,  during  which 
the  colonel  commanding  the  rebel  pickets  first  declined  to  receive 
the  prisoner  and  afterwards  consented,  the  two  officers  rode  back 
to  the  conveyance,  which  they  then  conducted  some  distance  within 
the  rebel  lines  and  delivered  their  prisoner  to  the  guards.  Vallan- 
digham remarked  to  the  rebel  guards,  first  calling  the  attention  of 
the  Federal  officers,  on  this  wise :  '  I  am  a  citizen  of  Ohio,  United 
States  of  America,  and  am  sent  within  your  lines  against  my  will, 


EA  RL  Y  RISIXG—G  OOD  NE  WS.  167 

and  hope  you  will  receive  me  as  your  prisoner.'  The  officer 
received  him  as  a  citizen,  to  be  dealt  with  by  the  authorities  at 
Shelbyville,  to  whom  he  promised  to  send  him  at  the  earliest  con- 
venience." 

On  Saturday,  May  23d,  we  were  still  on  outpost 
picket,  and  in  obedience  to  orders  were  up  and  under  arms 
at  four  o'clock  A.  M.  It  was  expected  that  the  enemy 
would  seek  to  surprise  us.  in  return  for  the  surprise 
that  had  been  perpetrated  on  them  the  morning  before. 
We  were  not  to  be  caught  so  soon ;  but  our  trouble  was 
for  naught — no  surprise  of  our  camp  was  attempted. 
We  got  breakfast,  then  went  on  picket;  relieved  the 
15th  Missouri.  This  was  the  date  of  the  return  to  the 
regiment  of  Lieutenant  W.  R.  Lawrence,  who  had  been 
captured  at  Stone  River.  At  three  o'clock  the  morning 
of  Sunday.  May  24th,  Captain  Wallace,  of  Company  I, 
had  us  up  in  line  of  battle.  No  rebels  came  near  us, 
however.  At  9.30  A.  M.  we  were  relieved  bv  the 

•f 

15th  Ohio.  We  immediately  started  for  Camp  Schaefer. 
Soon  after  arriving  in  camp,  things  began  to  assume 
the  old-time  appearance.  All  seemed  quiet,  there  being 
no  signs  of  a  forward  movement.  Good  news  from 
Grant's  army  was  received:  "Haines'  Bluff  taken,  with 
fifty-seven  pieces  of  artillery.  Port  Hudson  sur- 
rounded." 

May  25th,  the  weather  was  clear  and  quite  warm. 
In  camp  the  topic  of  interest  was  Grant's  operations 
down  the  Mississippi  River.  The  news  received  was 
regarded  as  very  favorable  for  our  cause.  On  May 
26th  a  detail  from  the  regiment  went  to  work  on  the 
fortifications.  This  detail  being  quite  large,  those  of 
the  regiment  left  in  camp  were  idle,  and,  as  a  conse- 
quence, lonesome.  Favorable  news  from  the  army 


168  UP  EARL Y  MAY  28 TH— CONJECTURES. 

before  Vicksburg  was  received.  The  morning  of  May 
27th  was  very  pleasant.  The  regiment  had  orders  to 
thoroughly  police  the  camp — that  is,  dean  it.  The 
shade  to  the  tents  and  streets  was  renewed.  These 
improvements  were  construed  as  indications  that  a  for- 
ward movement  for  us  was  indefinitely  postponed. 
Many  of  the  regimental  line  officers  on  this  date  spent 
a  half  day  inspecting  the  fortifications  about  Murfrees- 
boro.  They  agreed  that  the  fortifications  were  very 
extensive  and  formidable.  At  two  o'clock  on  the  early 
morning  of  the  28th  we  received  orders  to  be  ready 
to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,  with  five  days' 
rations.  It  was  suspected  by  some  that  we  were -going 
out  on  a  scouting  expedition ;  by  others  that  we  were 
going  out  to  support  General  Rousseau's  force,  which 
had  gone  out  on  the  left  to  demonstrate,  hold,  or  keep 
the  enemy  in  our  front  from  going  to  re-enforce  Pem- 
berton.  There  was  slight  skirmishing  during  the  after- 
noon in  the  direction  of  McMinnville.  Rain  fell  during 
the  night.  Weather  rather  gloomy  on  the  morning  of 
the  29th.  Orders  for  picket.  Left  camp  at  8.30  A.  M., 
and  went  to  one  of  our  old  picket-posts  on  the  Shel- 
byville  pike.  No  news  received  from  our  advance,  out 
toward  Manchester,  nor  any  from  before  Vicksburg. 
All  was  quiet  in  our  front  as  we  stood  picket.  Rain 
fell  at  intervals  during  the  day,  and  at  night  it  rained 
very  hard.  It  was  very  uncomfortable  for  even  a 
soldier  to  be  out  that  night,  no  matter  if  he  was  stand- 
ing on  the  picket-post.  Five  dollars  for  a  dry  spot,  or  a 
dry  shred  of  clothing,  might  have  been  offered  with 
impunity,  with  no  prospect  of  takers.  Adjutant  R.  R. 
Randall  hastily  took  his  leave  of  the  camp,  the  regiment, 
and  the  army  on  this  date.  May  30th,  eight  o'clock 


RAIN  AB UNDANT—RELIGIO US  SER  VICES.  169 

A.  M.,  we  were  still  on  picket,  and  the  rain  still  fall- 
ing. We  were  getting  used  to  it — so  much  so  that 
we  never  thought  of  pensions.  We  were  relieved 
from  picket  by  the  69th  Illinois.  Returned  to  camp 
through  the  rain,  on  foot,  and  without  umbrellas.  May 
31st  we  had  inspection  by  companies  between  showers. 
Toward  night  the  rain  ceased,  and  the  clouds  cleared 
away.  A  number  of  the  regiment  visited  the  hospital 
and  the  convalescent  camp,  to  see  how  the  sick  and 
convalescent  comrades  were  getting  along.  Some  few 
of  the  regiment,  who  had  experienced  a  failure  or  loss 
of  the  voice,  were  still  unable  to  speak  above  a  whisper. 
On  this  date  a  Sabbath-school  was  organized  in  the 
73d  camp.  We  had  preaching  at  five  o'clock  P.  M., 
and  prayer-meeting  at  "  candle-lighting."  All  quiet ; 
no  orders  to  marcfr ;  no  news  from  the  front.  The 
first  three  or  four  days  of  June,  1863,  were  marked 
by  no  incidents  of  an  interesting  character.  Showers 
were  frequent,  and  interfered  with  the  drill.  The  news 
from  Grant's  army  was  rather  meager,  but  not  dis- 
couraging. 

June  3d,  orders  at  sunset  to  draw  seven  days' 
rations  (to  put  three  days'  rations  in  haversacks  and 
four  in  knapsacks),  and  be  ready  to  march  on  short 
notice.  These  orders  served  to  keep  us  in  a  state  of 
suspense  and  expectancy  during  the  early  part  of  the 
night.  We  were  not  called  on  to  move.  Morning 
brought  with  it  cannonading  in  front,  but  we  remained 
quietly  in  camp  during  the  early  part  of  the  day. 
Lieutenant  Lawrence  was  officer  of  the  day  on  this 
date.  At  noon  the  long  roll  sounded.  Our  brigade  fell 
into  line,  and  was  hurriedly  marched  out  on  the  Salem 
pike,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  bank  of  Stone 


170        ORDERED  OUT  TO  SUPPORT  THE  PICKETS. 

River,  near  the  bridge.  A  sharp  cavalry  engagement 
was  had  seven  miles  out.  After  this  was  over,  the 
cannonading  ceased,  and  at  two  P.  M.  we  returned  to 
camp.  Before  three  P.  M.  the  cannonading  was  re- 
sumed, and  kept  up  during  the  afternoon.  At  6.15 
P.  M.  we  were  out  on  the  color-line,  having  dress- 
parade.  Troop  was  beating  off,  when  Colonel  Laibold 
came  from  Sheridan's  head-quarters,  running  his  horse 
at  his  utmost  speed.  The  second  brigade  was  ordered 
to  fall  in  immediately.  In  fifteen  minutes  we  were  off 
with  our  seven  days'  rations,  and  in  a  jubilant  mood, 
thinking  we  would  get  a  glimpse  of  the  rebels  this 
time,  as  the  cannonading  was  more  constant  and  steady. 
We  went  out  two  miles  west  of  Stone  River,  to  sup- 
port the  pickets  in  case  the  cavalry  was  driven  in.  At 
dark  we  halted  in  a  grove  of  open  timber,  where  the 
ground  was  covered  with  growing  grass.  Wounded 
cavalrymen  were  being  brought  in,  but  we  failed  to 
learn  of  the  extent  of  the  engagement  or  losses.  We 
spread  down  our  gum  and  other  blankets,  and  pre- 
pared to  spend  the  night,  first  receiving  orders  to 
be  up  and  under  arms  by  four  A.  M.  of  the  5th. 
Were  up  in  obedience  to  orders,  and  under  arms.  All 
was  quiet,  however ;  no  commotion  in  front,  nor  any 
news  from  there.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  night 
the  weather  was  stormy.  The  morning  was  gloomy, 
the  weather  threatening  and  unpropitious.  At  noon  we 
received  orders  to  return  to  camp.  Found  matters  in 
camp  all  right.  No  events  worthy  of  note  occurred  on 
Saturday,  June  6th.  On  Sunday,  the  7th,  the  weather 
was  beautiful.  Had  inspection  by  companies  at  nine 
A.  M.  Sunday-school  at  two  P.  M.,  and  at  four  P.  M., 
Major  Davidson  preached  a  sermon.  All  quiet  at  night. 


MORE  DUTY  AT  OUTPOST  PICKET.  171 

Orders  were  received  to  go  to  Salem  on  outpost  picket, 
to  stay  from  four  to  six  days. 

Monday,  June  8th,  started  at  seven  A.  M.  for  the 
outpost  picket  station ;  arrived  there  by  nine  o'clock. 
Companies  C,  F,  and  I  went  on  duty  together  in  the 
edge  of  a  nice  grove,  and  east  of  Mr.  Turner's  resi- 
dence. We  had  but  two  reliefs,  which  made  the  duty 
exacting  on  the  men.  Lieutenant  Kyger  visited  the 
Turner  mansion,  and  conversed  with  Mr.  Turner  at 
some  length.  As  to  the  war  going  on  between  the 
North  and  South,  Turner  claimed  to  hold  a  neutral 
position.  He  also  claimed  the  protection  of  our  forces. 
All  quiet  along  our  lines. 

Tuesday,  June  9th,  we  arose  at  four  o'clock  A.  M., 
as  we  had  been  ordered  to  do.  At  eight  A.  M.  we 
were  relieved  from  picket  by  Companies  B,  E,  and  G. 
Companies  C,  F,  and  I,  being  on  the  reserve,  improved 
the  opportunity  of  gaining  much-needed  rest.  Rain  fell 
during  the  night. 

June  10th,  raining  at  four  A.  M.,  at  which  hour  we 
were  up  and  wide  awake,  in  obedience  to  orders.  There 
seemed  to  be  a  determination  not  to  be  caught  napping. 
A  report  was  current  that  Hardee,  with  a  consid- 
erable force,  was  not  far  from  us,  and  threatening  to 
attack.  Companies  C,  F,  and  I  went  on  the  line  at 
eight  A.  M. 

Thursday,  June  llth,  the  companies  last  above 
named  were  relieved  as  before,  at  eight  A.  M.  Com- 
panies A,  D,  H,  and  K  kept  up  their  share  of  the 
routine  duties  while  on  the  week's  picketing  at  the  out- 
post. Rain  fell  during  the  day.  From  June  12th  to 
14th,  inclusive,  the  experience  was  about  the  same  as 
for  the  four  preceding -days.  On  the  latter  date  we 


172         ORIGINAL  MEMORANDA— CAPTAIN  McNUTT. 

were  relieved,  and  then  returned  immediately  to  Camp 
Schaefer. 

On  the  12th,  Lieutenant  Kyger  obtained  permission 
to  return  to  camp  for  the  purpose  of  going  to  Mur- 
freesboro  to  meet  Captain  McNutt,  who  had  been  home 
on  sick  leave.  The  captain  arrived,  as  was  expected. 
On  reaching  Camp  Schaefer,  Lieutenant  Kyger  found  the 
several  orderlies  and  the  convalescents  of  the  regiment 
all  in  good  spirits.  Concerning  the  return  of  Captain 
McNutt,  and  other  events  in  connection,  Kyger's  diary 
reads  as  follows : 

"On  the  arrival  of  the  passenger  train,  sure  enough,  captain 
was  on  it.  I  had  a  shake  of  his  hand  through  the  window.  Glad, 
very  glad,  to  see  him.  Have  not  so  gladly  received  any  one 
since  I  have  been  in  the  service.  Cap.'s  general  health  is  good, 
but  he  is  still  suffering  from  the  effects  of  neuralgia  in  one  leg. 
He  walks  with  difficulty  and  pain.  We  started  for  Camp  Schaefer 
at  11.15  A.  M.  Cap.  was  very  much  pleased  to  get  back  and 
to  see  us.  I  stayed  until  four  P.  M.  before  starting  for  the  picket- 
line;  arrived  at  five  P.  M.  with  the  letters  Cap.  had  brought 
for  the  boys.  All  glad  to  hear  from  him.  We  are  on  duty. 
Captain  Smith  and  myself  visited  Mr.  Turner,  a  citizen,  living 
near  our  line.  Had  a  very  pleasant  time  until  nine  P.  M.  He 
claims  to  be  a  Union  man,  and  gets  protection  from  the  United 
States  army. 

"  On  Outpost  Picket,  on  Salem  Pike,  Saturday,  June  13,  1863. — 
A  beautiful  morning';  relieved  at  eight  A.  M.;  back  to  station; 
spent  the  day  reading,  sleeping,  and  talking;  all  quiet ;  no  incident. 

"  On  Outpost  PicJcet,  on  Salem  Pike,  Sunday,  June  14, 1863. — This 
is  an  unusually  pleasant  morning;  relieved  at  nine  A.  M.;  went 
to  camp;  met  Cap.;  boys  all  glad  to  see  him,  very  glad,  and 
so  was  Cap.  to  see  us;  had  Sunday-school  at  two  P.  M.;  no  in- 
cident; all  quiet. 

"  Camp  Schaefer,  Tenn.,  June  15,  1868. — Monday  morning  quite 
warm  ;  went  to  Murfreesboro  with  Captain  Morgan  ;  had  a  nice 
time ;  nothing  new. 

"  Camp  Schaefer,  Term.,  Tuesday,  June  16 — Raining  this  morning; 
went  on  review  at  four  P.  M.;  reviewed  by  General  Sheridan  and 


THE  73D  DRILL— AT  DIVISION  HEAD-QUARTERS.    173 

Colonel   Laibold ;   appeared  splendidly,  never  better ;    extremely 
warm  ;  all  quiet. 

"  Camp  Scfiaefer,  Wednesday,  June  17,  1863, — Clear  and  warm  ; 
drilled  morning  and  evening. 

"  Thursday,  June  18,  1863. — Still  very  warm  ;    thunder-storm  in 
evening,  and  a  heavy  rain. 

"Friday,  June  19. — Cool  and  pleasant  this  morning;  orders 
came  to  be  under  arms  and  to  drill  from  four  to  five  o'clock  A.  M. 
and  from  six  to  seven  P.  M.;  afternoon  battalion  drill. 

"  Camp  Schaefer,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  June  20, 1863. — Drilled  as 
per  orders  in  forenoon;  afternoon,  cleaned  up  for  Sunday;  very 
warm. 

"  Camp  Sdiaefer,  June  21,  1863. — Clear  and  beautiful  this  morn- 
ing; had  company -inspection  ;  Captain  McNutt  preached  at  ten 
A.  M. ;  Sunday  school  at  two  P.  M.  ;  spent  the  day  writing  and 
talking. 

"  Camp  Schaefer,  Monday,  June  22, 1863. — So  cool  that  it  seemed 
almost  cold  enough  for  frost ;  all  quiet ;  have  orders  to  drill  before 
Sheridan's  head-quarters  at  four  P.  M.  to-morrow ;  drilled  often 
during  the  day. 

"  Camp  Schaefer,  Tennessee,  Tuesday,  June  23. — Intensely  warm 
and  dusty ;  wrote,  making  out  muster  and  pay  rolls ;  at  four  P.  M. 
received  orders  to  be  ready  to  move  again  (by)  midnight,  the  men 
to  march  in  light  order,  with  wool  and  gum  blanket  and  three  days' 
rations,  nine  days'  rations  to  be  taken  in  the  wagons ;  drilled  before 
Sheridan's  head-quarters ;  a  perfect  triumph.  Sheridan  complimented 
the  regiment  by  sending  it  an  order,  stating  that  he  did  not  believe 
it  could  be  beat  in  the  department.  All  the  moves — forty-one  in 
number — were  executed  without  a  mistake.  Back  to  camp;  be- 
fore we  slept,  we  packed  up  ready  to  move  ;  think  we  will  go  in 
the  morning." 

We  copied  more  than  we  intended,  at  this  time,  from 
the  diary,  but  concluded  to  bring  the  statement  down 
to  the  date  of  the  forward  movement  (June  24th),  and 
by  copying  the  diary  we  probably  get  a  more  condensed 
and  accurate  statement  of  the  events  as  they  occurred. 
We  have  already  noled  the  proficiency  of  Major  Presson 
as  a  drill-master.  Sheridan  had  become  apprised  of 
his  ability  in  that  line,  as  well  as  of  the  success  he  had 


174  HIGH  PRAISE— FOR  WARD  MO  VEMENT. 

met  with  in  bringing  the  73d  up  to  the  standard  of 
A  No.  1  in  drill.  Hence  the  order  for  the  regiment  to 
drill  before  the  general's  head-quarters.  Presson  had 
become  lieutenant-colonel  before  this  date,  a  fact  not 
stated  until  now.  In  matters  of  drill,  the  regiment  and 
its  lieutenant-colonel  understood  and  had  confidence  in 
each  other,  and  that  being  "  half  the  battle,"  explains 
how  it  came  about  that  the  letter  which  we  copy  below 
was  written  and  sent  to  the  regiment,  after  the  drill  was 
over : 

"HEAD-QUARTERS  THIRD  DIVISION,  TWENTIETH  ARMY  CORPS,) 
"  CAMP  NEAR  MURFREESBORO,  June  23,  1863.      J 

"  COLONEL, — I  am  instructed  by  Major-General  Sheridan  to  say 
that  he  witnessed  the  drill  of  your  regiment  to-day,  and  was  pleased 
to  observe  the  perfection  in  military  maneuvers  which  it  has 
attained.  The  general  commanding  believes  that  in  drill  it  is  not 
excelled  in  this  division  ;  and  in  saying  this,  he  feels  confident  it 
is  not  excelled  in  the  army.  I  have  the  honor,  Colonel,  to  be  your 
obedient  servant, 

"  GEORGE  LEE,  Captain  and  Acting  Adjutant-General. 
"To  LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  W.  A.  PRESSON,  Commanding  73d  Illinois  In- 
fantry Volunteers." 

Wednesday,  June  24,  1863,  a  drizzling  and  rather 
cold  rain  was  falling.  Orders  had  been  received  to  have 
all  dispensable  articles  packed  -by  five  A.  M.,  ready  to 
be  sent  to  the  rear.  Orders  complied  with  fully,  and 
at  6.30  A.  M.  we  fell  in  and  marched  off,  leaving  a  num- 
ber behind  who  would  have  gladly  accompanied  us,  had 
health  and  strength  permitted.  The  army  started  south- 
ward from  Nashville  and  Triune,  on  the  Nashville  and 
Shelby  ville  pike ;  from  Murfreesboro  it  followed  the 
Murfreesboro  and  Manchester,  and  the  Murfreesboro 
and  Shelby  ville  pikes.  We  —  Sheridan's  division  — 
moved  on  the  pike  last  named.  About  seven  miles  out 
our  skirmishers  encountered  those  of  the  enemy,  on  a 


THE  ENEMY  SOON  FOUND.  175 

range  of  hills.  At  10.30  A.  M.  we  formed  line  of  battle. 
In  this  one  position  we  remained  until  two  P.  M.,  a  very 
cold  rain  falling  during  the  full  time.  Cannonading  was 
actively  going  on  to  our  front,  right,  and  left,  at  the 
three  points  where  the  different  roads  passed  through 
the  range  of  hills  at  gaps,  or  natural  depressions,  in  the 
same.  The  cannonading  and  other  racket  in  our  front 
was  inconsiderable,  or  at  least  less  than  on  our  right  or 
left.  Our  forces  gained  the  gap  in  our  front,  suffering 
only  a  slight  loss.  At  two  P.  M.  we  moved  to  the  left, 
in  the  direction  of  Liberty  Gap.  In  doing  so,  we  crossed 
the  Nashville  and  Chattanooga  Railroad,. at  a  small  town 
named  Chester.  We  passed  on  eastwardly  some  three 
miles,  and  halted  .near  Millersburg  at  5.30  P.  M.,  on  the 
Murfreesboro  and  Manchester  road.  Rain  fell  without 
intermission  or  "let-up,"  making  the  roads  sloppy  and 
the  ground  very  wet.  We  were  directed  to  prepare  for 
the  night.  As  we  happened  to  be  located  in  front  of  a 
farm  or  plantation  house,  or  houses,  we  soon  had  nearly 
all  the  out-houses  unroofed,  to  get  material  to  keep  us 
out  of  the  water,  while  trying  to  snatch  a  few  hours  of 
sleep.  The  cannonade  kept  up  at  Liberty  Gap  until 
dark ;  and  the  rain  came  down  with  regularity  and  pre- 
cision until  morning.  Liberty  Gap  was  won  by  our 
forces,  with  a  loss  of  from  forty  to  forty-five  in  killed 
and  wounded.  The  enemy  doubtless  suffered  much  less. 
On  the  morning  of  Thursday,  June  25th,  it  was  still 
raining,  making  our  condition  extremely  unpleasant. 
All  quiet  up  to  noon,  and  no  orders  to  move.  At  two 
P.  M.  we  could  hear  cannonading  off  in  the  direction 
of  Wartrace.  At  four  P.  M.  the  rain  ceased  and  ap- 
pearances indicated  fair  weather.  We  received  orders 
to  be  ready  to  move  at  five  P.  M.,  with  two  days' 


176  PLENTY  OF  NOISE  AND  RAINWATER. 

rations  in  our  haversacks.  The  cannonading  grew 
more  and  more  steady  and  brisk,  averaging  about  two 
shots  per  minute.  At  six  P.  M.  we  were  still  waiting 
to  move,  and  were  ready.  It  was  reported  that  John- 
son's division  was  attacked  by  the  rebels,  their  purpose 
being  to  dispossess  him  of  the  ground  he  occupied  yester- 
day. .They  did  not  succeed  in  dislodging  Johnson,  but 
he  drove  them  back.  At  eight  P.  M.  we  had  orders 
to  move,  and  started  immediately  ;  but  before  going  three 
hundred  yards  the  order  was  countermanded,  and  we 
returned  to  our  position,  where  we  remained  until  the 
morning  of  June  26th. 

At  three  A.  M.  of  the  26th  we  were  to  be  ready 
to  move  out.  We  were  up  early,  had  coffee  and 
crackers.  All  quiet  at  the  front.  A  drizzling  rain 
kept  falling  early  in  the  day,  but  later  increased  and 
poured  down  in  torrents.  At  six  A.  M.  our  train 
started ;  our  division,  being  detailed  to  guard  it,  did 
not  get  under  way  until  near  ten  o'clock.  The  ground 
was  covered  with  water,  and  the  rivulets  were  over- 
flowing, so  great  had  been  the  rain-fall  since  ten  A.  M. 
At  noon  the  rain  ceased  falling,  and  shortly  after- 
ward we  halted  for  an  hour  at  the  plantation  of  a  regu- 
lar "old  secesh,"  who,  with  his  three  sons,  were  in  the 
rebel  army.  At  this  point  we  left  the  2d  and  15th 
Missouri  Regiments,  and,  accompanied  by  the  44th. 
moved  on,  in  nearly  an  eastern  direction,  .  until  we 
came  to  the  Murfreesboro  and  Manchester  pike. 

Later  we  came  to  Hoover's  Gap  —  so  named  for  a 
man  who  owned  six  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the 
vicinity — which  is  four  miles  long,  and  formed  by  hills 
or  knobs  distributed  along  on  each  side  of  the  pike; 
but  in  no  instance  were  any  two  knobs  exactly  opposite 


THE  ENEMY  YIELDS  THE  GAP.  177 

each  other,  with  reference  to  the  pike.  In  other  words, 
the  pike  ran  through  the  gap  on  nearly  a  straight  line. 
These  knobs  varied  in  height  from  one  hundred  to 
three  hundred  feet.  Notwithstanding  these  seemingly 
good  natural  fortifications,  and  the  fact  that  the  enemy 
were  on  the  defensive,  and  had  a  number  of  guns  ad- 
vantageously posted,  our  forces  gained  possession  of 
Hoover's  Gap  with  but  slight  loss. 

Some  rain  fell  during  the  afternoon.  At  six  P.  M. 
we  halted  on  the  right  of  the  pike,  on  a  beautiful 
slope.  At  eight  P.  M.  there  were  some  indications  of 
fair  weather  for  Saturday,  June  27th.  The  rebels  were 
retreating  at  dark,  and  we  could  hear  the  roar  of  can- 
non in  the  distance.  Casualties  of  the  day  not  ascer- 
tained. 

At  daylight,  on  the  27th,  we  were  ready  to  march ; 
moved  out  to  the  pike,  and  were  ordered  to  halt  and 
wait  until  the  train  passed.  The  rain  was  over, 
the  sky  clear,  and  the  air  cool ;  but  the  road  was 
in  a  thoroughly  soaked  condition — -just  right  to  be  cut 
up  by  our  heavy  trains.  At  7.15  A.  M.  we  moved 
down  the  pike,  passing  some  points  where  there  had  been 
heavy  skirmishing,  and  one  place  where  the  rebels  had 
thrown  up  earth-works  on  each  side  of  the  pike.  At  nine 
A.  M.  we  came  to  Garrison's  Fork  of  Duck  River,  thirteen 
miles  from  Manchester,  where  there  had  been  a  sharp 
engagement  on  the  preceding  day.  Quite  a  number  of 
the  enemy  had  been  killed  in  this  engagement.  One 
piece  of  their  artillery  had  been  dismounted,  and  another 
piece  spoiled  by  being  struck  in  the  muzzle  by  a  solid 
shot.  We  moved  forward,  leaving  the  pike  to  our  left, 
taking  a  south-west  course,  going  down  Garrison's  Fork. 

After  crossing,  we  struck  a  pike,  and  passed  on  to  a  small 

12 


178  THE  SKIRMISH  A  T  FAIRFIELD. 

town  named  Fairfield.  Here,  at  4.15  P.  M.,  we  en- 
countered a  force  of  the  enemy.  We  formed  line  of 
battle  in  the  following  order,  beginning  on  the  right : 
2d  Missouri,  15th  Missouri,  44th  Illinois,  with  the  73d 
Illinois  on  the  left,  our  left  resting  on  the  creek.  The 
skirmishers  and  the  2d  and  15th  Missouri  Regiments 
moved  cautiously  forward.  At  4.45  P.  M.,  the  1st 
Brigade  came  up,  making  our  division  whole.  General 
Sheridan  was  with  us.  While  the  sharp-shooters  were 
making  a  charge,  at  5.15  P.  M.,  A.  C.  Nicholson,  of 
Company  C,  was  struck  by  a  ball  on  the  right  shoulder 
near  the  center  of  the  shoulder-blade,  ranging  directly 
for  the  left  shoulder,  where  it  was  cut  out,  inflicting 
an  ugly  and  severe  wound.  The  rebel  force  consisted 
of  mounted  infantry,  and  was  charged  upon  by  the 
sharp-shooters  and  the  skirmishers  from  the  two  Mis- 
souri regiments.  The  rebels  "  skedaddled  "  for  their 
horses,  leaving  three  men  dead  on  the  field.  On  our 
side  three  men  were  wounded.  The  rebel  wounded 
were  carried  off. 

At  sunset  we  started  for  Manchester,  fifteen  miles 
distant,  in  a  south-east  course.  We  marched  over  a 
common  dirt-road.  We  passed  on  slowly,  at  length 
coming  to  a  heavy  woods  on  each  side  of  a  deep  hol- 
low, through  which  the  road  passed.  The  hills  on 
either  side  of  the  road  ranged  from  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  feet  in  height.  Between  the  hills,  or 
ridges,  the  valley  was  very  narrow,  not  much  wider 
than  the  road.  The  sky  being  clouded,  and  the  road 
hedged  in  by  hills  and  woods,  made  the  route  we 
traveled  very  difficult  and  gloomy.  At  9.30  P.  M.  a 
heavy  rain  set  in — just  poured  down — making  the  water, 
sand,  and  gravel  from  shoe-mouth  to  eight  inches  deep. 


A  HARD  MARCH.  '  179 

No  matter;  we  had  to  move  on,  with  nothing  dry  on 
or  about  us — except,  perhaps,  powder.  We  occasionally 
halted,  to  allow  the  teams  and  wagons  to  pass.  Owing 
to  the  bad  condition  of  the  road,  many  wagons  stuck, 
and  double  teaming  had  to  be  resorted  to  to  get  them 
on  the  way  again.  At  thirty  minutes  past  midnight  we 
halted  in  the  woods,  all  very  nearly  worried  out.  We  could 
not  have  gone  much  farther.  We  spread  down  our  gum 
blankets,  two  of  us  lying  on  one,  and  covering  with  an- 
other. Some  first  secured  brush  and  green  boughs  to 
spread  their  blankets  on,  thus  keeping  off  the  soaked 
ground.  This  was  no  picnic  or  holiday  excursion.  In 
a  very  disagreeable  and  uncomfortable  manner  we  passed 
the  residue  of  the  night. 

Sunday,  June  28th,  we  were  up  at  four  o'clock  A.  M., 
the  rain  still  falling,  and  but  slight  indication  that  it 
would  cease.  Our  bivouac  was  eleven  miles  from  Fair- 
field.  We  started  out  again  at  5.30  A.  M.,  and  passed 
over  some  wretched  roads.  We  crossed  the  barren  forks 
of  Duck  Creek,  near  their  junction,  and  soon  after,  at 
10.30  A.  M.,  halted  to  rest  the  remainder  of  the  day. 
Our  stopping-place  was  three-fourths  of  a  mile  west  of 
Manchester,  and  near  a  splendid  mill,  at  the  falls  on 
the  East  Fork.  The  water  being  abundant  and  close 
at  hand,  and  in  many  places  pouring  down  precipitous 
and  rocky  places,  very  many  of  the  soldiers  availed 
themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  take  a  bath  and  do 
some  cleaning  up.  More  rain  fell  during  the  afternoon. 
A  report  gained  circulation  that  the  advance  of  our 
forces  were  within  six  miles  of  Tullahoma. 

Monday,  June  29th,  the  prospect  for  fair  weather 
seemed  better.  All  quiet  in  camp.  We  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  sending  letters  back  by  the  orderly  sergeant 


180  THE  MULES  RE-ENFORCED. 

of  Company  I.  A.  C.  Nicholson,  of  Company  C,  was 
sent  back  to  Murfreesboro.  His  wound,  received  on 
the  27th,  at  Fairfield,  was  a  very  painful  one ;  but  he 
was  pretty  lively  notwithstanding.  Before  noon,  orders 
to  move  were  sent  around.  Our  brigade  started  at 
twelve  M.,  the  73d  in  the  rear.  A  very  heavy  rain 
was  falling,  making  our  march  exceedingly  disagreeable. 
This  shower,  for  a  time,  was  the  heaviest  of  the  whole 
series  of  showers  since  the  opening  of  the  campaign. 
We  passed  through  Manchester,  and  found  it  apparently 
large  enough  to  number  at  least  one  thousand  inhabit- 
ants, if  they  were  only  at  home.  The  larger  portion  of 
the  population  was  conveniently,  if  not  necessarily,  ab- 
sent. On  getting  through  town,  we  continued  our 
march  on  a  common  dirt-road,  which  passed  through  a 
wilderness  of  black-jack  woods  and  flats.  The  rain  con- 
tinued. Wagon  after  wagon  stuck  in  the  mud.  Our 
movement  was  very  slow,  as  we  (with  the  44th)  were 
rear-guard. 

On  arriving  within  one  mile  of  the  place  selected  to 
stop  at,  orders  came  to  detail  two  men  from  each  com- 
pany, and  one  commissioned  officer  from  the  regiment, 
to  go  and  help  the  mules  and  train.  Lieutenant  Law- 
rence was  the  lucky  officer.  The  regiment  moved  on, 
plodding  its  way  through  mud  and  water.  Wading 
branches  knee-deep  was  a  frequent  occurrence ;  so  fre- 
quent, indeed,  that  the  novelty  of  the  thing  wore  off. 
The  roads  were  very  bad — intolerably  so — if  we  could 
have  helped  it,  or  got  away  from  them.  It  was  often 
remarked  :  "  Well,  this  beats  our  Illinois  roads."  Mules 
would  go  down  the  full  length  of  their  (hind)  legs  in 
the  mud,  and  wagons  to  the  axle.  Eight,  and  some- 
times ten,  mules  were  required  to  pull  the  wagons  out 


ONE  NIGHT  WITHOUT  RAIN.  181 

of  the  mire.  The  sun  set,  with  no  intervening  clouds, 
just  as  we  halted  for  the  night,  six  mile's  from  Tulla- 
homa.  We  were  very  much  wearied  by  the  march,  but, 
taking  time,  arranged  for  the  night,  and,  after  drying  our 
clothes,  retired.  At  time  of  halting  we  could  hear 
heavy  skirmishing  in  front  of  Tullahoma. 

On  the  morning  of  June  30th  we  arose  at  four  o'clock, 
and  very  soon  after  were  under  arms,  in  accordance  with 
orders.  All  quiet.  The  night  passed  without  rain,  and 
indications  were  favorable  as  to  weather.  We  failed  to 
move  during  the  day  ;  had  to  wait  for  train.  Cavalry 
passed  out  to  the  front  early  in  forenoon  ;  had  a  brisk 
skirmish,  and  then  returned.  By  eleven  A.  M.  indica- 
tions as  to  weather  were  less  favorable;  a  drizzling  rain 
set  in ;  but  we  had  nothing  to  do  but  let  it  rain  and  lay 
quietly  in  camp.  Had  inspection  of  arms  by  companies 
at  five  o'clock  P.  M.  Each  man  was  found  to  have  one 
gun  in  shooting  trim,  and  forty  rounds  of  cartridges. 
Rain  still  falling  at  dark.  Our  delay  was  occasioned  in 
part  by  the  need  of  repairs  on  the  road,  which  the 
pioneers  were  putting  in. 

Wednesday,  July  1st,  the  weather  had  become  more 
favorable.  All  quiet  in  front;  at  least,  there  was  nothing 
to  indicate  the  contrary.  Report  in  camp  that  Colonel 
Minty  and  General  Wilder,  with  their  cavalry,  were  in 
rear  of  the  enemy  at  Tullahoma,  cutting  the  railroad 
and  destroying  bridges.  This  interference  with  the  rebel 
communications  southward  would  force  them  to  retreat 
or  make  a  stand.  At  eleven  A,  M.  we  could  distinctly 
hear  cannonading  in  front  of  Tullahoma.  The  cannon- 
ading continued  until  one  P.  M.  At  two  P.  M.  orders 
were  received  directing  us  to  prepare  for  an  immediate 
forward  movement.  At  2.15  we  moved  out  left  in  front, 


182  TULLAHOMA  FALLS  INTO  OUR  BANDS. 

to  the  rear  of  the  train.  Soon  after  we  filed  out,  a  re- 
port came  that  the  enemy  were  leaving  Tullahoma ;  that 
Sheridan,  followed  by  the  3d  Brigade,  had  ridden  into 
the  town.  By  6.30  P.  M.  we  reached  and  passed  the 
rebel  fortifications  at  Tullahoma.  A  portion  of  these 
earthworks  were  very  heavy  and  built  with  a  view  to 
the  mounting  of  at  least  twelve  siege  guns.  Two  heavy 
guns,  unspiked,  were  left  on  or  near  the  works.  The 
carriages  to  these  had  been  burned.  The  rebels  had 
gotten  another  large  gun  a  portion  of  the  way  to  the 
railroad  depot;  but,  being  pressed  for  time,  it,  too,  was 
abandoned,  and  its  carriage  burned.  Two  other  guns 
were  on  the  platform  at  the  railroad  station,  ready  for 
shipment,  but  lack  of  time  on  the  part  of  the  enemy 
and  other. more  pressing  matters  prevented.  It  was 
understood  that  Bragg  and  Breckinridge  consulted  to- 
gether on  June  29th, and  decided  to  retreat;  the  ground 
for  such  decision  being  that  their  force  was  insufficient 
to  meet  that  of  Rosecrans. 

About  four  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners  fell  into  our 
hands ;  also,  a  number  of  good  wall-tents,  three  hundred 
sacks  of  meal,  and  one  hundred  sacks  of  salt,  Tulla- 
homa is  situated  in  the  black-jack  flats,  which  are  very 
poor  and  unproductive.  On  this  date  our  inarch  was 
exceedingly  disagreeable  and  laborious.  We  passed 
through  hollows  and  dense  woods,  where  there  was  but 
little  air,  and  that  little  so  motionless  as  to  make  no 
breeze.  It  was  the  warmest  day  of  the  year  up  to  date. 
Arriving  at  a  point  some  distance  south  of  town,  we 
gladly  halted,  and  went  into  camp  at  sunset.  Had  or- 
ders to  be  ready  to  march  at  three  o'clock  A.  M. 

Thursday,  July  2d,  we  arose  early,  agreeably  to  or- 
ders; had  breakfast,  and  moved  out  at  3.30  A.M.,  left 


WADE  ELK  RIVEK,  JULY  2.  183 

in  front;  the  73d  Regiment  in  front  of  brigade  and 
division.  We  moved  southward  on  the  Winchester  road, 
and  soon  came  to  the  place  where  the  rebels  had  been 
encamped.  Evidences  of  great  haste,  of  a  "skedaddle" 
in  fact,  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  were  apparent.  The 
old  camp  was  strewn  with  tents,  mess-chests,  and  camp 
and  iron  kettles,  and  other  articles.  Along  the  road 
were  papers  and  letters  torn  up,  also  articles  of  clothing 
and  some  blankets  scattered  here  and  there,  showing 
that  the  army  of  Bragg  was  making  good  time,  in  light 
marching  order,  to  Chattanooga,  or  some  other  defens- 
ible point.  General  Sheridan  and  staff  passed  us,  giving 
orders  to  march  on  quick  time.  It  was  thought  the 
enemy's  rear  guard  might  be  overtaken,  as  it  could  be 
but  a  few  hours  in  advance.  We  soon  came  on  to  some 
rebel  stragglers,  roaming  along  through  the  woods  care- 
lessly, and  doubtless  anxious  to  give  themselves  up. 
At  Winchester  Springs,  thirteen  miles  from  Manchester, 
we  came  to  a  halt,  at  10.15  A.  M.  Here  we  learned 
that  the  bridge  across  Elk  River  had  been  burned.  It 
was  reported,  too,  that  the  river  was  not  fordable.  There- 
fore, our  quick  time  had  accomplished  or  saved  nothing. 
At  two  P.  M.  we  about-faced,  on  moving  out,  and  took 
a  cross-road,  leading  to  a  more  shallow  ford,  about  three 
miles  farther  up  the  river.  By  order  of  General  Sheri- 
dan, a  heavy  rope  was  stretched  across  the  stream;  it 
was  fastened  firmly  at  each  end,  and  was  supported  or 
held  up  near  the  middle  of  the  stream  by  the  roots  of 
a  tree,  which  had  lodged  there.  Then  we  bundled  up 
our  things,  some  of  them,  and  carried  them  high  ;  kept 
them  aloft,  especially  the  cartridges,  as  we  waded  the 
stream,  holding  on  to  the  rope  as  u  support  to  steady 
ourselves  and  enable  us  to  stem  the  swift  current  of 


184    BLOODLESS  CONQUEST,  EXCEPT  AS  TO  CHICKEN. 

water.  Company  A,  of  the  73d,  led  the  way,  being  fol- 
lowed successively  by  the  other  companies.  We  found 
the  water  waist-deep  to  a  six-footer.  On  getting  across, 
we  waited  for  the  remainder  of  the  brigade  to  get  over. 
The  cavalry  soon  reported  the  enemy  a  short  distance 
to  our  front,  in  fortifications  near  the  railroad. 

Our  brigade  was  ordered  forward,  the  73d  next  after 
the  skirmishers  to  our  right;  the  44th  Illinois,  and  the 
2d  and  15th  Missouri,  at  right  angles  to  our  left.  Ad- 
vancing, we  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  fort,  and  a  few 
tents,  but  no  rebels  or  artillery  were  visible.  We  moved 
up  cautiously.  The  left  wing  of  the  regiment  was  pushed 
to  the  front,  and  the  right  wing  was  left  about  one- 
fourth  of  a  mile  to  the  rear,  as  a  precautionary  measure. 
Company  B  went  into  the  fort  on  the  double-quick,  find 
ing  it  very  recently  evacuated.  Two  cannon  had  been 
mounted  in  the  fort;  some  rifle-pits  and  other  works 
had  been  commenced,  with  a  view  to  commanding  or 
covering  the  railroad  bridge  over  Elk  River.  On  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river  there  was  a  similar  fort,  and, 
judging  from  the  indications,  there  had  been  a  brigade 
of  the  enemy  encamped  in  the  vicinity.  We  moved 
back  near  the  fort,  where  we  had  crossed  the  river,  and 
halted,  and  made  preparations  to  spend  the  night.  From 
our  camp  a  range  of  mountains  was  visible.  This  range 
looked  beautiful,  as  it  stretched  out  in  the  dim  distance, 
from  the  south-west  to  the  north-east.  It  was  said  to 
be  twelve  miles  off.  We  had  "  hard-tack "  and  coffee 
for  supper.  One  chicken  —  the  last  one,  no  doubt,  in 
that  neighborhood  —  surrendered  to  an  orderly  sergeant 
of  the  "  Preacher  Regiment,"  and  helped  out  greatly 
with  the  supper  in  that  orderly's  mess,  of  which  the 
writer  was  a  member  for  the  time  being. 


REACH  WINCHESTER.  185 

Near  Estitt's  Springs,  Tennessee,  Friday,  July  3d. — 
Rain  was  still  falling  when  we  arose  from  our  scant  beds. 
Breakfast  over,  we  marched  at  six  A.  M.  The  73d  was 
in  the  rear  of  division.  We  passed  down  the  Winches- 
ter road,  waded  the  Boiling  Fork  of  Elk  River,  and  at 
9.30  A.  M.  we  halted  in  the  suburbs  of  Winchester, 
where  we  remained  until  one  o'clock  P.  M.  On  start- 
ing again,  we  passed  through  Winchester,  a  pretty  vil- 
lage, a  county-seat  with  an  ordinary  court-house.  In 
the  town  some  signs  of  loyalty,  but  more  of  disloyalty, 
to  the  Union  were  visible.  The  country  immediately 
surrounding  the  town  was  beautiful  —  rather  romantic, 
in  fact.  Winchester  and  vicinity  was  the  place  of  nativ- 
ity of  some  of  the  residents  of  Edgar  and  Vermilion 
Counties,  Illinois. 

Getting  Winchester  behind  us,  we  moved  in  a  south- 
east course,  with  Cowan  Station  as  our  destination. 
When  about  one  and  one-fourth  miles  from  Winchester, 
we  struck  the  Boiling  Fork  of  Elk  River  again  —  this 
time  near  to  a  point  where  our  cavalry  and  the  rebels 
had  a  skirmish  in  the  morning.  In  this  skirmish  four 
Federal  soldiers  were  wounded ;  three  horses  were  killed. 
What  loss  the  enemy  suffered,  if  any,  was  not  ascer- 
tained. We  passed  up  the  valley  of  Elk  River,  with- 
in ;i  short  distance  of  the  mountain,  until  we  arrived  at 
Cowan,  a  station  near  the  point  where  the  Nashville  and 
Chattanooga  Railroad  crossed  the  river.  At  sunset  we 
halted  at  a  place  the  rebels  had  left  that  morning.  Dur- 
ing the  day  a  few  prisoners  had  been  captured  by  our 
cavalry.  As  was  usually  the  case,  but  little  informa- 
tion could  be  obtained  from  these  prisoners  respecting 
the  movements  or  intentions  of  the  enemy,  and  that 


186  INDEPENDENCE-DAY— TWO  RAINS. 

little,  no  doubt,  was  misleading.  We  were  all  thoroughly 
tired,  and  glad  to  stop  for  the  night. 

Camp  near  Cowan.,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  July  kth. — 
We  were  up  by  four  o'clock  and  breakfasted  later. 
Had  orders  to  stop  for  the  day,  and  rest  and  wash  our 
clothing,  and  clean  up  generally.  It  was  necessary, 
too,  that  we  await  the  arival  of  our  supply-train.  At 
eleven  A.  M.  rain  begain  falling.  At  noon  a  salute  of 
thirteen  guns  was  fired  by  the  battery  at  Sheridan's 
head-quarter.s,  in  honor  of  Independence-day.  During 
the  day  our  cavalry  pushed  forward  eight  miles,  and 
caught  up  with  the  rear  guard  of  Brugg's  force  in  the 
mountains.  A  sharp  skirmish  was  had,  in  which  our 
forces  captured  ninety  prisoners,  a  brass  band  and 
musicians.  Our  losses  were  about  twenty  killed  and 
wounded.  The  rebels  had  felled  trees  across  the  road, 
to  hinder  and  dehiy  our  cavalry.  Had  all  our  army 
been  ready  to  press  right  on  vigorously,  the  enemy 
might  have  been  deprived  of  a  considerable  portion  of 
his  artillery.  At  least,  this  was  the  opinion  of  one  of 
our  spies.  Considerable  rain  again  at  night.  The  fre- 
quent showers  just  about  this  time  must  have  had 
something  to  do  in  producing  and  maturing  the  very 
large  wild  blackberries,  so  abundant  in  the  woods, 
along  the  railroad,  and  in  the  fence-corners.  Four  or 
five  of  the  largest  of  these  berries  was  all  an  ordinary 
tin-cup  would  hold. 

Sunday,  July  5,  1863. — We  received  orders  to  go 
on  picket.  On  the  way  to  our  picket  post  or  station, 
we  crossed  Elk  River.  There  was  no  disturbance 
during  the  day.  At  about  eleven  A.  M.  rain  began 
falling,  and  continued  to  fall,  at  intervals,  during 
the  remainder  of  the  day.  Our  cavalry  at  the  front 


VER  Y  SHOR T  RA  TIONS—BLA CKB ERRIES.  187 

reported  that  numbers  of  deserters  from  Bragg's  army 
were  in  the  mountains.  They  desired  to  reach  their 
homes,  if  possible,  without  having  to  give  themselves 
up,  or  being  paroled,  thus  obviating  an  exchange  and  a 
return  to  the  service,  of  which  they  were  heartily  tired. 

On  Picket,  Monday,  July  Qth. — It  rained  steadily 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  night.  A  portion  of  the 
time  it  rained  very  hard,  giving  us  a  thorough  drench- 
ing, and  making  matters  very  unpleasant  for  us  on  the 
picket-line.  We  were  relieved  from  picket  at  eight 
A.  M.,  by  the  2d  Missouri;  then  returned  to  camp,  and 
began  trying  to  become  sociable  once  more.  The  pro- 
vision train  had  failed  to  come  up,  and,  as  a  conse- 
quence, we  were  putting  up  with  less  than  half  rations, 
not  including  blackberries.  Scarcity  of  rations  did  not 
tend  to  the  engendering  of  sociability  among  soldiers. 
On  the  contrary,  it  induced  and  promoted  growling, 
grumbling,  and  fault-finding  generally.  But  this  was 
not  always  seriously  meant.  The  soldiers  understood 
the  situation,  but  would  have  something  to  say  about 
the  short-comings  of  officers  and  mules.  The  long 
coming  of  rations  was  sometimes  a  severe  test  to  the 
patience  of  the  hungry  and  tired  men. 

Tuesday,  July  1th,  Camp  near  Cowan  Station,  -Tennes- 
see.— The  weather  was  more  favorable.  All  quiet  in 
camp.  No  train  or  provisions  reported  to  date.  We 
were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  foraging  and  "  brows- 
ing "  for  a  living.  Our  supply  of  hard-tack  was  very 
small,  averaging  not  more  than  one  cracker  to  the  man. 
We  had  plenty  of  meat,  and  of  blackberries  we  had 
an  abundance,  and  knew  where  more  could  be  gathered. 
We  had  another  dashing  rain  at  one  P.  M.  The  ground 
was  all  thoroughly  soaked,  softened,  and  saturated  with 


188  VICKSBURG  AND  GETTYSBURG. 

water.  Three  provision  wagons  were  lost — the  pro- 
visions, too — in  an  effort  to  cross  them  over  Elk  River. 
Three  men  were  drowned  at  the  same  time  and  place, 
and  likewise  all  the  mules — eighteen,  probably — be- 
longing to  the  three  teams  or  wagons.  After  this 
occurrence,  we  had  no  expectation  that  our  supply- 
train  would  arrive  within  a  week  from  date.  At  four 
P.  M.  we  could  hear  the  roar  of  cannon  in  the  direction 
of  Tullahoma.  Some  thought  General  Thomas  was 
attacked ;  while  others  thought,  from  the  regularity  of 
the  firing,  that  it  was  a  salute  to  an  officer  of  high  rank, 
military  or  civil.  Before  sunset,  however,  all  was  ex- 
plained; a  report  reached  camp,  and  spread  rapidly  from 
company  to  company  and  from  regiment  to  regiment,  to 
the  effect  that  Pemberton  had  surrendered  Vicksburg 
and  his  army  to  General  Grant  on  the  4th  inst.  The 
report  further  represented  that  the  rebel  army  under 
General  Lee  had  been  overthrown  at  Gettysburg.  At 
dusk  an  official  dispatch  was  received  from  the  War 
Department,  signed  by  E.  M.  Stanton,  fully  confirming 
the  report.  Our  regiment  and  all  others  began  cheering 
and  kept  it  up  until  late  at  night.  Our  band  played 
"  Yankee  Doodle "  and  several  other  patriotic  pieces. 
We  all  felt  so  well  pleased  that  sleep  was  scarcely 
thought  of,  and  short  rations  were  entirely  forgotten. 

Early  on  Wednesday,  July  8th,  we  were  awakened 
by  the  firing  of  a  salute  at  General  Sheridan's  head- 
quarters in  honor  of  the  late  victories ;  thirteen  rounds 
for  Grant's  success  at  Vicksburg,  and  thirteen  for 
Meade's  success  at  Gettysburg,  and  thirteen  more  for 
General  Rosecrans.  The  roar  of  cannon  was  heard  off 
in  the  direction  of  Winchester  and  Tullahoma,  proclaim- 
ing over  valley  and  mountain  the  good  news.  There 


RATIONS  SCARCE— BAD  ROADS.  189 

was  a  dispatch  received  which  more  fully  confirmed  the 
news. 

The  supply-train  failed  to  arrive.  By  some  means, 
through  some  streak  of  good-fortune,  we  were  eiuihled 
to  draw  a  lot  of  crackers,  about  one-half  cracker  to 
each  man.  Rain  fell  in  the  afternoon.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  one  day,  it  had  rained  every  day  since  we 
left  Murfreesboro.  The  roads  were  impassable,  never 
worse  in  Illinois;  it  was  a  regular  embargo  of  mud. 
The  next  thing  to  hope  for  and  expect,  was  the  arrival 
of  the  train  from  Nashville  and  Murfreesboro,  as  the 
railroad  was  being  put  in  order  as  rapidly  as  the  rainy 
weather  would  admit. 

The  morning  of  Thursday,  July  9th,  opened  up  with 
a  clear  sky,  but  there  was  a  heavy  fog.  We  were  sent 
to  the  picket-line,  to  relieve  the  44th  Illinois.  Near 
eleven  A.  M.  word  came  that  Sheridan's  3d  Brigade  had 
started  for  Bridgeport,  and  that  our  brigade  would  fol- 
low next  morning.  The  picket-line  was  drawn  in, 
shortened,  in  order  to  connect  and  cover  the  front  or 
space  left  vacant  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  3d  Brigade 
pickets.  Weather  favorable,  and  a  better  prospect 
that  it  would  remain  so  for  awhile  than  we  had  noted 
since  June  24th.  A  portion  of  our  train,  which  had  ar- 
rived, was  immediately  sent  back  to  Elk  River  for  more 
rations,  with  orders  to  return  before  morning. 

Friday,  July  ~LQth. — Still  on  picket.  The  sky  was 
clear  and  the  weather  pleasant.  Much  mirthfulness 
was  provoked  among  the  boys  by  the  antics  of  a  blue 
rat,  which  had  run  up  a  large  hickory-tree  near  them. 
William  Martin,  of  Company  C,  climbed  the  tree  to 
the  height  of  about  fifty  feet,  and  after  considerable  la- 
bor succeeded  in  shaking  the  rat  off.  It  ran  into  a  bed 


190  THE  BLUE  RAT— THE  'BRASS  BAND. 

where  Allison  and  A.  Jones  were  lying.  After  chasing 
it  from  there,  it  was  very  closely  pursued  by  a  number 
of  the  boys,  when,  as  a  last  resort,  his  ratship  darted 
suddenly  up  the  leg  of  Claib.  Madden's  pantaloons,  and 
up  Claib.  Madden's  leg,  too.  Claib.  grasped  the  rat 
and  held  it  until  some  of  the  other  boys  caught  it  by 
the  tail  and  pulled  it  out.  Luckily,  the  rat  did  not 
bite  Claib.  The  memorandum  does  not  disclose  what  the 
rat's  fate  was,  but  it  is  quite  probable  it  did  not  cross 
the  Tennessee  River,  or  survive  the  Battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga. 

At  7.30  A.  M.  we  were  relieved  from  picket  by  the 
2d  Missouri.  On  arriving  at  camp,  we  found  all  quiet. 
Our  provision  train  came  up  in  the  afternoon,  which 
was  a  cause  of  great  gratification  to  us  all,  as  we  were 
entirely  out  of  "  hard-tack,"  officers  and  men  all  faring 
alike,  as  far  as  rations  were  concerned.  No  further 
news  from  the  Potomac,  beyond  a  confirmation  of  that 
before  received.  The  day  passed  without  rain.  While 
at  Cowan  Station,  the  men  of  the  regiment  got  a  sat- 
isfying portion  of  "band  music;"  almost  a  surfeit,  so 
to  speak.  Some  of  the  boys  expressed  the  wish  that 
the  73d  had  never  had  a  brass  band.  Well,  the  musi- 
cians did  come  very  near  putting  in  full  time  practicing, 
and  trying  to  become  proficient  in  their  line.  It  was 
well,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  all  of  the  instruments  and  a 
few  of  the  musicians  were  captured  in  the  next  battle. 

Camp  near  Cowan,  Tennessee,  July  \\th. — The  sky 
was  cloudy  and  the  weather  cooler.  One-half  the  reg- 
iment— one-half  of  each  company — detailed  to  go  on 
picket.  We  were  still  expecting  to  change  from  camp 
life  and  living,  and  move  toward  the  front.  Rations  for 
three  days  were  drawn.  The  2d  and  15th  Missouri 


THE  PIONEER  SQUAD  AND  GUERRILLAS.  191 

Regiments  struck  tents  and  moved  forward  in  the  after- 
noon, leaving  the  44th  and  the  73d  behind  with  the  1st 
Brigade. 

July  12th. — There  w?is  considerable  fog,  and  strong 
indications  of  rain,  on  this  date.  No  orders  to  move. 
The  remainder  of  the  regiment  ordered  to  the  picket- 
line.  At  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  a  shower  of  rain  fell.  A 
report  was  current  in  camp  that  one  of  General  Sheri- 
dan's aides  was  captured,  to  our  front,  while  out  pick- 
ing blackberries.  On  investigation,  the  report  was  found 
to  be  erroneous.  A  squad  of  the  Pioneer  Corps  were 
out  pernmbulating  around,  and  halted  at  a  shed  near 
the  residence  of  an  old  citizen,  to 'take  shelter  from  the 
rain.  On  seeing  them,  the  old  man  came  out,  and  then, 
with  characteristic  politeness  and  true  Southern  hospi- 
tality, invited  the  Pioneers  in  and  asked  them  to  remain 
until  after  dinner.  This  done,  he  sent  a  Negro  to  the 
mountains  to  give  notice  to  a  guerrilla  band  to  come 
down  and  capture  the  party.  The  guerrillas  soon  ar- 
rived, intending,  doubtless,  to  surround  the  house 
before  dismounting.  Somehow,  the  suspicions  of  the 
Federals  were  awakened,  and  they  endeavored  to  escape 
by  scattering  and  running,  not  taking  time  to  secure 
their  horses.  The  guerrillas  fired,  wounding  a  lieuten- 
ant and  two  or  three  privates,  and  took  two  or  more 
prisoners  and  captured  all  the  horses.  A  squad  went 
out  in  the  evening,  late,  to  look  for  the  guerrillas,  but 
did  not  overhaul  any  of  them.  All  quiet. 

July  13M. — On  picket.  Weather  cool,  and  rather 
pleasant.  Were  relieved  from  picket  at  7.30  A.  M., 
by  the  44th  Illinois.  We  went  to  camp,  and  soon 
afterwards  drew  rations ;  we  drew  full  rations  this  time, 
being  the  first  full  rations  we  had  drawn  since  leaving 


192  ADVANCE  TO  ANDKRSON. 

Murfreesboro.  Reports  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
represented  General  Mead  as  having  a  series  of  successes, 
and  likely  to  capture  that  part  of  Lee's  army  north  of 
the  river.  Rains,  immediately  after  the  battle  of  Get- 
tysburg, had  swollen  the  Potomac  and  rendered  it  an 
obstacle  to  Lee's  retreat.  That  part  of  Lee's  army  north 
of  the  Potomac  was  too  considerable  for  General  Mead's 
cavalry  to  capture  entire. 

Tuesday,  July  \Mh. — About  one-half  the  regiment  on 
picket  again.  On  this  date  our  regimental  camp  was 
moved  a  short  distance  to  a  better  place,  near  Sheri- 
dan's head-quarters.  The  news  from  the  Eastern  army 
continued  favorable.  The  Guerrilla  Morgan,  with  4,800 
men,  was  reported  to  be  moving  rapidly  on  Hamilton, 
Ohio. 

Wednesday,  July  I5th. — Dispatch  received  early  in 
the  day,  stating  that  Port  Hudson  was  ours,  with  18,000 
prisoners.  That  portion  of  the  regiment  on  picket  was 
relieved  at  sunset,  and  soon  after  orders  to  get  ready 
to  move  to  Anderson  the  next  day  were  received.  On 
this  date  a  number  of  the  regiment  who  were  not  on 
picket  went  out  some  two  or  three  miles  from  camp  on 
a  foraging  excursion. 

Camp  near  Cowan,  Thursday,  July  ].Qth.  —  Weather 
pleasant  early  in  the  day.  We  were  ready  at  5.30  A.  M. 
to  start  to  Anderson  to  relieve  two  regiments  of  the 
1st  Brigade  stationed  there,  to  protect  the  pioneers  while 
repairing  the  railroad.  The  44th  and  73d  got  started 
'at  6.30  A.  M.,  taking  three  days'  rations  with  them ; 
each  man  was  required  to  take  his  gum  blanket.  The 
route  taken  was  the  railroad  track.  Two  miles  from 
Cowan  Station  is  the  point  where  the  railroad  passes 
the  mountain  by  going  through  the  Cumberland  Tunnel. 


THE  CUMBERLAND  TUNNEL.          193 

This  tunnel  was  cut  through  solid  rock  a  distance  of 
2,228  feet.  It  was  finished  in  the  year  1852,  and  four 
years'  time  was  spent  in  cutting  through  the  mountain. 
Thomas  G.  Bates  was  the  engineer  that  superintended 
the  construction  of  the  tunnel.  A  large  shaft  extends 
from  the  top  of  the  mountain  down  into  the  tunnel. 
We  found  it  quite  dark  as  we  marched  through  the 
tunnel.  Our  regimental  band  enlivened  the  march  as 
we  passed  through  by  playing  "  Yankee  Doodle."  After 
emerging  into  daylight  again,  we  soon  reached  a  point 
where  the  rebels  had  burned  three  bridges  that  had 
been  near  together;  the  small  mountain  stream  being 
very  crooked,  cut  across  the  road  that  number  of  times 
in  a  very  short  distance.  The  third  and  last  bridge 
burned  was  near  Tantalon,  the  point  half-way  from 
Cowan  to  Anderson.  The  bridges  were  all  repaired  by 
a  squad  of  pioneers,  whose  head-quarters  were  at  Tanta- 
lon. After  leaving  Tantalon,  where  we  halted  for  a 
short  time,  we  passed  down  a  valley  between  two  con- 
siderable mountain  ranges.  At  intervals  along  the  route 
the  scenery  was  very  romantic  and  beautiful.  There 
were  some  small  tracts  of  bottom-land  under  cultiva- 
tion, farmed  after  a  fashion  somewhat  antiquated.  At 
two  P.  M.  we  arrived  at  Anderson,  which  is  fifteen  miles 
from  Cowan,  and  one  hundred  and  two  from  Nashville. 
It  is  a  very  small  place,  located  on  Crow  Creek,  twenty- 
one  miles  by  railroad,  and  thirteen  miles  by  dirt-road, 
from  Bridgeport,  Alabama.  It  took  the  name  Anderson 
from  the  fact  that  a  wealthy  planter  and  large  land- 
holder by  that  name  lived  in  the  immediate  vicinity. 
Our  stopping-place  was  on  the  mountain-side,  to  the 
right  of  the  railroad.  Captain  Morgan  an.d  Lieutenant 
Kyger  went  some  three  hundred  yards  south  of  camp, 

13 


194  SOME  OF  BRAGG'S  MEN  "GIVE  UP." 

and  made  their  foot-prints  for  the  first  time  in  Alabama, 
our  bivouac  being  located  but  a  short  distance  north  of 
the  line.  We  were  all  very  tired  in  consequence  of  our 
march  along  the  railroad ;  stepping  from  tie  to  tie  length- 
ened our  steps,  and  caused  us  to  touch  or  alight  on  the 
ties  with  increased  force,  making  the  march  more  fatiguing 
and  unpleasant. 

Camp  at  Anderson,  Tennessee,  Friday,  July  Ylth. — On 
this  date  we  got  up  as  early  as  four  o'clock.  The  weather 
was  quite  cool.  It  was  rather  more  comfortable  to  sit 
near  a  fire  than  to  do  otherwise.  All  quiet  at  eight 
A.  M.  Companies  I  and  C  went  on  duty  as  look-out 
guards ;  Company  I  was  posted  out  east  of  town,  and 
Company  C  was  stationed  on  the  railroad  north  of  town. 
Soon  after  getting  posted  at  the  railroad,  three  men 
came  to  our  line ;  one  of  them  had  belonged  to  Bragg's 
army,  and  wanted  to  give  himself  up.  He  reported  that 
Bragg  would  not  again  give  us  battle;  that  his  army 
was  thoroughly  whipped  and  disheartened.  He  said, 
furthermore,  that  it  was  the  general  opinion  among  Ten- 
nesseeans  that  the  war  was  about  to  close.  Perhaps  it 
would  never  have  commenced  had  the  Tennesseeans, 
and  Southerners  generally,  all  been  like  this  man.  How- 
ever, there  were  very  many  repentant  rebels,  among  the 
soldiers  especially,  who  claimed  they  had  been  deceived. 
Others  were,  no  doubt,  sick  of  the  job,  but  would  not 
acknowledge  it.  While  playing  the  part  of  look-out 
guards,  we  had  a  very  good  time. 

Anderson  Station,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  July  V&th  — 
We  arose  early  on  this  date,  and  shortly  after  day- 
light received  orders  to  start  back  to  Cowan  at  6.30  A.  M. 
Moved  promptly,  and  after  a  hard  march  we  reached 
Cowan  at  two  P.  M.,  all  very  tired.  At  4.30  P.  M. 


RETURN  TO  COWAN— WARM  WEATHER.  195 

a  locomotive  from  Murfreesboro  arrived  at  the  station, 
and  after  making  a  brief  stop,  went  on  to  Tantalon  with 
railroad  iron  for  the  bridges.  This  WHS  the  first  engine 
that  had  passed  southward  beyond  Cowan  since  Bragg's 
retreat.  In  camp  we  found  things  all  right.  Dispatches 
by  the  way  of  Chattanooga  were  reported  as  having 
been  received  at  some  Confederate  head-quarters  an- 
nouncing the  fall  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina. 

On  account  of  continued  disability,  Captain  Patter- 
son McNutt,  of  Company  C,  sent  in  his  resignation. 
It  was  with  much  regret  that  he  did  this.  The  men 
of  his  company  were  ardently  attached  to  him,  as  he 
was  a  true  and  fearless  Christian  man,  and  had  proven 
feithful  to  the  interests  of  his  company  as  far  as  his 
failing  health  would  permit. 

Camp  near  Cowan,  Sunday,  July  \$th. — Were  awak- 
ened at  two  o'clock  A.  M.  by  the  sergeant-major. 
Orders  were  issued  requiring  us  to  march  with  three 
days'  rations  at  four.  The  brigade  was  ready  on  time, 
but  did  not  start  until  4.30.  We  marched  along  on 
the  railroad  and  passed  through  Cumberland  Tunnel, 
and  reached  Anderson  at  12.15  P.  M.  We  halted  at 
Tantalon  and  rested  twenty-five  minutes.  Just  after 
we  got  started  from  Tantalon  an  engine  passed  along 
with  one  platform  car  attached,  General  Sheridan  and 
some  twenty  others  on  board,  going  to  Stevenson. 
They  halted  at  the  Big  Spring,  and  took  on  Colonel 
Laibold.  We  remained  at  Anderson  one  hour;  then 
moved  on  southward  into  Alabama,  and  halted  at 
four  P.  M.  in  the  Crow  Creek  bottoms,  three  and  a 
half  miles  from  Anderson.  The  weather  was  extremely 
warm,  the  perspiration  oozed  profusely,  and  the  march 
told  on  the  boys  fearfully,  and  we  were  all  very  glad 


196  UP  AT  TWO  A.  M.,  TO  MARCH  AT  FOUR. 

to  stop.  General  Sheridan  and  party  passed  us  on  the 
return  trip,  with  locomotive  and  platform  car.  He 
had  been  beyond  Stevenson  and  within  four  miles  of 
Bridgeport,  and  found  the  railroad  all  right.  But  very 
few  indications  of  loyalty  on  the  part  of  citizens  in 
the  country  could  be  detected.  The  people,  perhaps, 
were  waiting  developments.  They  could  not  tell  which 
way  u  the  cat  was  going  to  jump."  We  bivouacked  for 
the  night  of  July  19th  at  the  point  where  we  made  our 
first  stop  in  Alabama. 

Monday,  July  20,  1863. — We  were  awakened  at  two 
A.  M.,  and  received  orders  to  march  at  four  A.  M. 
We  were  ready  to  march  on  time,  or  nearly  so,  but  did 
not  start  until  5.15.  There  was  some  fog  early  in  tha 
day.  Roads  had  improved  somewhat  and  were  rather 
smooth,  and  we  made  good  headway.  After  marching 
three  miles  we  halted  at  the  crossing  of  Crow  Creek  to 
rest.  It  was  a  small  but  rich  valley  that  we  passed 
through  on  our  march,  and  was  in  corn  principally. 
We  stopped  at  a  bridge  and  relieved  a  squad  of  cavalry 
that  was  doing  guard  duty  there.  We  spent  the  night 
at  this  bridge,  within  one  mile  of  Stevenson. 

The  weather  was  very  warm  July  21st.  A  train  of 
cars  from  the  north  was  expected,  but  did  not  arrive. 
Quite  a  number  of  the  regiment  visited  Stevenson, 
and,  on  returning  to  the  bivouac,  reported  the  town  as 
being  a  small  one,  and  very  shabby  and  unattractive 
in  appearance,  and  the  inhabitants  nearly  all  away 
from  home.  Six  Union  families  were  the  sum  total  of 
residents  remaining  in  the  town.  A  portion  of  the 
regiment  went  out  foraging  late  in  the  day  and  made 
a  "good  haul." 

Weather   still   very    warm   on   July   22d.     A  train 


HOT  WEATHER  IN  THE  CROW-CREEK  BOTTOMS.  197 

passed  along,  with  General  Sheridan  on  board  as  one 
of  the  passengers.  It  was  laden  with  provisions  for 
the  cavalry.  On  this  date  we  arose  early,  the  purpose 
being  to  move  camp,  but  did  not  move  until  four  P.  M. 
A  place  nearer  town,  on  the  mountain  side,  was  selected 
for  our  camp.  It  was  well  adapted  to  the  use  we  put 
it  to.  We  had  a  good  rest  during  the  night  and  got  up 
at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  23d.  Orders 
were  sent  around  requiring  pay-rolls  to  be  made  out,  as 
the  paymaster  was  expected.  Orders  obeyed.  Weather 
very  warm,  but  we  managed  to  get  along  through  the 
day  by  keeping  as  inactive  as  was  possible,  and  at  night 
rested  fairly  well,  the  temperature  being  then  much 
cooler.  On  July  24th  the  regiment  went  on  picket. 
Nothing  unusual  or  unexpected  transpired.  Passed 
the  night  on  picket,  and  were  relieved  at  7.30  on  the 
morning  of  July  25th  by  the  15th  Missouri. 

Sunday ,  July  2Qth. — Weather  very  warm;  hot  at  mid- 
day. Many  soldiers  spent  a  considerable  portion  of 
the  day  at  Crow  Creek,  bathing  and  washing  clothes. 
Train  came  .in  at  four  P.  M.,  with  General  Sheridan 
and  Major  Henry,  paymaster,  among  the  number  on 
board.  Mail  was  received  daily,  which  served  to  re- 
lieve the  tedium  of  camp  living  through  the  long  days 
of  summer.  At  6.30  A.  M.,  July  27th,  we  went  on 
picket  duty,  relieved  the  2d  Missouri.  On  or  about 
this  date,  it  transpired  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  Presson 
was  seeking  to  have  Fortune,  of  Company  A,  mustered 
or  commissioned  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  C, 
over  Lawrence.  Perhaps  the  lieutenant-colonel  was 
only  trying,  at  first,  to  see  if  Company  C  would  take 
kindly,  or  otherwise,  to  the  proposal.  If  so,  he  soon 
found  out  that  Company  C  did  not  want  a  Fortune  just 


198  RECONNOISANCE  TO  BRIDGEPORT. 

then.  The  company  may  have  had  no  objection  to  For- 
tune as  an  individual,  but  was  unitedly  opposed  to  the 
"principle  of  the  thing,"  having  men  of  her  own  capa- 
ble and  willing  to  fill  the  commissioned  offices  of  the 
company.  Some  of  the  protests  against  the  "  bastard " 
proceeding  were  uttered  in  not  very  mild  manner  or 
language.  The  2d  Missouri  was  paid  off  on  the  picket- 
line  ;  that  portion  of  the  regiment  which  was  on  picket 
received  pay  there. 

Tuesday,  July  28^. — On  picket.  Some  shooting, 
along  the  line,  was  indulged  in  by  some  of  the  boys  of 
Company  I.  The  shots  were  supposed  to  be  aimed  a 
little  high,  at  stragglers  and  foragers  who  were  trying 
to  slip  the  lines.  Were  relieved  by  the  15th  Missouri 
at  6.30  A.  M.  Went  to  camp,  and  received  pay  in  the 
afternoon.  All  quiet. 

At  two  A.  M.  of  July  29th,  we  received  orders  to 
march  at  2.15,  with  two  days'  rations.  The  44th  and 
73d  marched  in  the  direction  of  Bridgeport.  Colonel 
Lfdbold,  with  the  sharp-shooters,  was  in  the  advance ; 
the  44th  came  next,  and  the  73d  brought  up  the  rear. 
We  arrived  at  the  fortifications  at  six  A.  M.  The  73d 
halted  in  the  rear;  the  sharp-shooters  went  on  to  the 
bank  of  the  river;  the  44th  took  a  position  half-way 
between,  in  front  of  the  fort.  The  rebel  pickets  were 
on  the  island,  opposite  Bridgeport,  and  fired  at  Colonel 
Laibold  as  he  was  making  a  survey  or  observation  from 
the  river  bank  through  his  field-glass.  The  colonel  at 
once  ordered  the  sharp-shooters  to  fire,  and  he  also  or- 
dered a  piece  of  artillery  to  take  position  near  the  rail- 
road bridge.  Two  shells  were  fired  at  the  end  of  that 
portion  of  the  bridge  which  crossed  the  main  channel 
from  the  opposite  side  of  the  island.  The  first  shell 


RETURN  TO  STEVENSON— BRIDGEPORT  AGAIN.      199 

struck  the  embankment  near  the  end  of  the  bridge> 
and  burst,  doing  no  perceivable  damage ;  the  second 
shell  struck  a  barricade  at  the  end  of  the  bridge,  and 
burst.  Colonel  Laibold  said  he  saw  two  men  fall. 
The  colonel  then  ordered  live  more  shots  fired  into  the 
stockade  on  the  island.  The  result  was,  the  rebels  all 
"  skedaddled."  At  eight  A.  M.  we  started  back,  left  in 
front,  for  Stevenson.  We  had  a  very  disagreeable 
march,  the  weather  being  extremely  warm.  We  reached 
Stevenson  at  12.30  P.  M.  On  this  date  a  few  mem- 
bers of  the  regiment  came  up  from  Murfreesboro,  and 
brought  our  knapsacks  with  them.  At  six  P.  M.  the 
job  of  paying  the  regiment  was  finished. 

Thursday,  July  30th. — All  astir  in  camp  by  sunrise. 
Very  warm  early  in  the  day ;  had  orders  to  get  ready 
to  march  immediately,  with  three  days'  rations.  We 
marched  at  eight  A.  M.,  the  73d  in  advance,  followed 
closely  by  the  2d  Missouri.  We  moved  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Bridgeport,  and  arrived  there  at  two  P.  M.  It 
was  a  hot  day,  the  most  sultry  of  the  season,  and  the 
march  told  severely  on  us.  We  took  position  near  the 
old  forts,  on  the  heights  overlooking  the  river  and  val- 
ley for  miles  around.  We  held  a  position  naturally 
strong,  and  made  more  so  by  the  three  forts  situated 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river 
bottoms.  The  rebels  were  standing  picket  again,  on  the 
island  opposite  us,  and  we  occasionally  exchanged  shots 
with  them;  but  no  damage  was  inflicted  on  either  party 
as  far  as  known.  We  found  that  part  of  the  railroad 
bridge  which  extended  from  the  island  to  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  to  be,  apparently  at  least,  in  good  con- 
dition. The  rebels  were  in  possession  of  that  portion 
of  the  bridge.  About  two-thirds  of  the  remainder  of  the 


200         EXPERIENCE  AND  DUTY  AT  BRIDGEPORT. 

bridge  had  been  burned.  Two  spans  were  left  standing  in 
the  river,  disconnected  from  the  island  and  the  river  bank. 

The  weather  was  more  pleasant  on  the  morning  of 
July  31st.  We  went  up  the  river  to  go  on  picket. 
Five  sentinels  were  posted ;  one  near  the  river  bank  op- 
posite the  rebel  picket.  Our  man  raised  his  voice  to  a 
high  pitch,  and  got  the  attention  of  the  "  Johnny  Reb," 
and  propounded  a  series  of  questions — some  of  them 
serious  too — to  him,  and  received  answers  to  most  of 
them.  At  nine  A.  M.  the  3d  Brigade  came  and  oc- 
cupied our  grounds,  as  it  was  expected  to  tarry  awhile. 
We  were  relieved  from  picket  at  four  P.  M.  We 
moved  down  the  river  a  short  distance,  anl  bivouacked. 
General  Lytle  forbade  firing  at  the  enemy  across  the 
river.  An  expected  railroad  train  failed  to  arrive. 

We  were  up  by  the  break  of  day  on  Saturday, 
August  1st,  and  had  not  long  to  wait  for  orders  to  com- 
panies H  and  C  to  go  on  picket  duty  again.  At  ten 
A.  M.  the  36th  and  88th  Illinois  came  to  relieve  us,  and 
at  four  P.  M.,  Companies  C  and  H  being  first  called  in 
from  the  picket-line,  we  started  back  to  Stevenson,  the 
2d  Missouri  in  front.  The  last  five  miles  were  gone 
over  with  a  kind  of  "whoop  and  hurrah"  style,  or  a 
"harvest  home"  fashion.  Just  what  was  the  occasion 
or  excuse  for  the  jubilation  does  not  appear  from  the 
diary  upon  which  we  are  drawing  for  facts.  The  time 
spent  in  inarching  that  five  miles  is  described  as  being 
"  the  most  jovial  time  we  have  had  since  we  have  been 
in  the  service."  Before  dark  we  reached  Stevenson, 
and  halted  east  of  our  old  camp.  It  being  late,  and 
the  men  weary  of  the  march,  acting  Adjutant  Winget 
went  to  division  head-quarters  and  got  permission  for 
the.  regiment  to  take  possession  of  the  old  camp  for  the 


MATTERS  IN  THE  REAR.  201 

night.  On  this  date  we  received  notice  of  the  accept- 
ance of  Captain  McNutt's  resignation.  Company  C  re- 
gretted very  much  that  Captain  McNutt's  disabilities 
prevented  his  remaining  with  it. 

Camp  near  Stevenson,  Alabama,  Sunday,  August  2d. — 
The  weather  was  quite  warm  on  this  date.  We  did  not 
move  camp  until  afternoon.  As  it  will  not  detract  from 
the  interest  of  this  running  history,  and  will  be  more 
convenient  to  us,  we  shall  quote  the  diary — Kyger's — 
for  several  dates  : 

"At  sunset  I  made  arrangements  with  the  lieutenant-colonel 
to  have  me  ordered  on  business  to  Murfreesboro,  that  I  might  see 
Captain  McNutt. 

"  Stevenson,  Alabama,  Monday,  August  3,  1863.^Sti\\  very  warm. 
Made  arrangements  to  go  to  Murfreesboro.  Received  81,696  to 
express  for  the  boys;  and  enough  from  others  in  the  regiment  to 
make  §6,060.  The  company  went  on  picket.  Thirty-eight  out  of 
forty-one  of  the  boys  in  favor  of  regular  promotion  in  the  com- 
pany, rather  than  submit  to  the  wishes  of  the  lieutenant-colonel 
and  receive  Fortune,  of  Company  A.  I  went  down  to  the  station 
to  await  the  arrival  of  the  train  from  Bridgeport,  to  take  same  for 
Murfreesboro.  Took  tea  at  the  hotel,  Alabama  House,  and  waited 
very  impatiently  until  twelve,  midnight,  for  train,  and  retired. 

"  Alabama  House,  Tuesday,  August  4,  1863. —  At  7.30  A.  M. 
cars  came  from  Bridgeport.  Aboard  and  off.  Found  two  regi- 
ments of  1st  Brigade  at  Anderson  ;  Rousseau's  division  at  Cowan  ; 
Davis's  at  Winchester,  and  Johnson's  at  Tullahoma.  Arrived  at 
Murfreesboro  at  6. 30  P.  M.,  and  had  supper  and  went  to  look  after 
Captain  McNutt.  Went  to  his  boarding-house — Mrs.  Baker's — 
but,  to  my  sad  disappointment,  captain  had  started  for  Indiana 
on  the  evening  of  2d  iust.  Received  permission  to  board  at  Mrs. 
Baker's;  quite  a  nice  place;  she  is  a  pleasant  young  widow; 
husband  deceased  only  twelve  months.  Went  up  town ;  found  it 
quite  dull ;  back,  and  had  a  nice  night's  rest. 

"Mrs.  Baker's,  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  Wednesday,  Augusts, 
1863. — Up  early ;  cool.  Worked  all  day  preparing  the  money 
which  I  had  brought  down  for  the  regiment,  to  be  expressed  ;  took 
it  to  the  office,  and  took  receipts  for  same.  At  four  P.  M.  «back 


202         LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  PRESSON  RESIGNS. 

to  boarding-house,  and  wrote  letters.  An  officer  from  Rousseau's 
division  roomed  with  me.  My  health  not  good. 

"  Mrs.  Baker's,  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  Thursday,  August  6, 
1863. — Very  pleasant.  This  morning  arranged  the  money  for 
Company  C,  and  expressed  $1,696  in  cash  to  Josiah  Thompson. 
David  McDonald  also  sent  $35. 

"  Thanksgiving-day. — Did  not  get  to  attend  church.  Had  a 
nice  Thanksgiving  dinner — a  large  turkey — with  a  doctor  from 
Illinois,  and  Neff,  a  sutler  from  the  left  wing.  Had  a  nice  time 
Went  to  the  general  field  hospital  and  the  convalescent  camp ; 
found  McDonald  fat;  he  is  going  to  return  to  the  company  with 
me.  All  business  houses  closed  by  order  of  the  United  States 
marshal  until  four  P.  M.  After  that  I  bought  coat,  pants,  vest, 
shirt,  and  many  articles  for  the  boys — paper,  envelopes,  tobacco, 
etc.  Very  weary  at  night ;  expect  to  start  for  the  front  in  the 
morning. 

"  Mrs.  Baker's,  Murfreesboro,  Tennessee,  Friday,  August  7, 1863. — 
Up  early.  Up  town  before  the  stores  opened.  Met  McDonald. 
He  is  all  ready  to  go  with  me.  Depot  at  7.30  A.  M.;  on  cars ;  off. 
At  Decherd  at  1.15  P.  M.  Missed  the  train  for  Stevenson.  Will 
have  to  remain  over  night ;  quite  a  disappointment.  No  news. 

"Decherd,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  August  8,  1863. — Had  a  good 
sleep  at  a  hotel,  and  a  breakfast  to  correspond.  At  nine  A.  M. 
we  got  aboard  a  construction-train,  and  reached  Stevenson  at  three 
P.  M.,  being  detained  at  Cowan  to  await  the  train  for  Nashville. 
Found  our  regiment  had  changed  camp  during  our  absence  to  an- 
other and  better  place.  General  Sheridan  ordered  the  change. 
He  had  moved  his  head-quarters  here  on  the  5th. 

N"OTE.— From  this  date  Lieutenant-Colonel  Presson's  active  connec- 
tion with  the  regiment  terminated.  His  resignation  was  duly  forwarded, 
and  on  August  17th  was  accepted,  and  thereafter  his  connection  with 
the  regiment  ceased  entirely.  It  was  much  to  be  regretted  that  the 
lieutenant-colonel  did  not  more  fully  control  himself,  as  he  was 
possessed  of  superior  qualifications  as  an  officer;  but  as  matters  turned 
out,  the  good  of  the  service  seemed  to  require  his  resignation. 

On  August  9th  there  were  no  events  worthy  of  special 
mention.  All  quiet.  The  weather  inviting. 

For  Monday,  August  10th,  the  report  for  the  9th  is 
equally  applicable,  except  that  General  Sheridan  gave 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Presson  the  choice  between  sending 


PROMOTIONS  IN  REGIMENT.  203 

in  his  resignation  from  the  service  and  taking  his  chances 
with  a  court-martial.  As  indicated,  the  lieutenant-col- 
onel preferred  the  former. 

On  Tuesday,  August  llth,  trains  run  out  on  the 
Memphis  road  twenty  miles.  Orders  were  sent  around 
requiring  each  man  to  draw  an  extra  pair  of  shoes. 
This  was  interpreted  to  signify  an  early  forward  move- 
ment. The  same  order  also  required  ten  days'  rations 
to  be  kept  on  hand.  The  left  wing  of  the  army  had 
been  started  to  the  front  on  this  or  the  previous  day. 
For  the  next  four  days  (August  12th  to  15th,  inclusive,) 
the  regiment  did  picket  duty,  keeping  up  or  manning 
Stations  Nos.  Four  and  Five.  A  portion  of  the  regiment, 
only,  did  picket  duty  at  these  stations  at  a  time. 

A  hard  shower  of  rain  fell  during  the  afternoon  of 
August  16th. 

The  weather  was  more  pleasant  August  17th.  Major 
James  I.  Davidson  was  to  be  commissioned  as  lieutenant- 
colonel,  and  Captain  William  E.  Smith  was  chosen  from 
the  list  of  captains  to  be  commissioned  as  major.  The 
last  camp  established  near  Stevenson  was  styled  "  Camp 
Harrington." 

On  the  18th  of  August  General  Rosecrans  visited 
Stevenson  and  Bridgeport.  He  also  went  out  the  Mem- 
phis Railroad  on  his  little  car,  the  "  Dummy."  It  was 
reported  that  General  Rosecrans  expected  to  move  his 
head-quarters  to  Stevenson.  Just  before  dark,  General 
Rosecrans  returned  from  the  points  visited  on  the  Mem- 
phis Railroad.  The  papers  making  T.  D.  Kyger  captain, 
William  R.  Lawrence  first,  and  D.  A.  Smith  second  lieu- 
tenants, respectively,  of  Company  C,  were  returned  from 
division  head-quarters  approved,  and  were  at  once  for- 
warded to  Springfield,  Illinois,  that  commissions  might 


204  THE  ARMY  CONCENTRATING. 

be  issued.  In  other  companies  of  the  regiment  similar 
steps  were  no  doubt  taken  in  same  or  similar  cases. 

Stevenson,  Alabama,  Wednesday,  August  19M. — Com- 
pany C  relieved  Company  G  from  picket  at  Station  No. 
Five.  Three  commissioned  officers  and  six  enlisted 
men  called  for  from  the  regiment  to  report  at  corps  head- 
quarters, to  receive  instructions  and  get  ready  to  go  to 
Illinois,  to  bring  drafted  men  to  the  regiment.  Among 
those  detailed  for  this  duty  were  the  two  orderly  ser- 
geants of  Companies  C  and  H,  and  Lieutenant  Turpin, 
of  Company  I.  Who  the  other  six  were  that  consti- 
tuted the  detail,  does  not  appear ;  and  our  data  do  not 
show  that  the  detail  went  to  Illinois  immediately,  or  at 
all,  for  that  matter.  We  know  that  David  A.  Smith, 
the  orderly  sergeant  of  Company  C,  did  not  go  at  all. 
Orders  which  we  had  received  ten  days  previously, 
were  renewed  on  this  date.  We  were  required  to  be 
ready  for  a  forward  movement  at  a  moment's  warning. 
The  head-quarters  of  General  Rosecrans  were  estab- 
lished at  Stevenson  on  this  date,  as  were  also  those  of 
General  Stanley.  Troops  were  constantly  moving  and 
changing  position  along  the  line.  The  first  passenger 
train  since  Bragg's  withdrawal  to  the  south  and  east 
side  of  the  Tennessee  River  came  through  on  this  date. 

Thursday,  Augmt  20th.  —  Arose  early  on  this  date, 
and  found  the  weather  cool  enough  to  make  it  com- 
fortable to  stand  near  a  fire.  All  quiet  in  camp.  A 
squad  went  out  foraging,  with  a  man  named  Ridge  as 
guide;  Lieutenant  Lawrence,  of  Company  C,  was  along. 
A  "  rare  "  time  was  had.  Rosecrans,  Sheridan,  Stanley, 
Davis,  McCook,  and  Johnson  were  in  town.  Army  rapidly 
concentrated  about  Stevenson. 

Weather  cool,  August  21st.     The  pioneer  train  came 


SIGNS  OF  A  FORWARD  MOVEMENT.  205 

in  on  this  date.  There  were  many  changes  in  position 
of  the  different  commands ;  troops  kept  moving  all  day, 
and  many  extra  trains  of  cars  arrived.  Passenger  trains 
run  through  to  Stevenson  pretty  regularly.  A  train 
went  out  twenty-five  miles  on  the  Memphis  road.  News 
of  the  fall  of  Charleston  seemed  to  lack  confirmation. 

Weather  still  cool  early  on  the  22d  of  August.  Part 
of  the  regiment  on  picket.  Orders  were  received  to 
turn  overall  regimental  baggage  "to-morrow" — August 
23d.  The  indications  of  a  forward  movement  increased. 
At  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.  cannonading  was  heard  off  in 
the  direction  of  Bridgeport. 

That  portion  of  the  regiment  which  was  on  picket, 
was  relieved  at  6.30  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  August 
23d.  All  dispensable  articles  and  heavy  baggage  packed 
and  stored  away  at  Stevenson.  The  regiment  remained 
quietly  in  camp,  no  further  orders  being  received.  It 
was  again  reported  that  Forts  Wagner  and  Sumter 
were  taken. 

Part  of  the  regiment  went  on  picket  again  at  6.30  on 
the  morning  of  August  24th ;  relieved  Station  No.  Four — 
a  new  place,  and  a  new  line. 

Were  relieved  from  picket  at  seven  o'clock  A.  M., 
August  25th.  Returned  to  camp.  More  or  less  rain 
fell  during  the  day.  Reports  still  received  to  the  effect 
that  things  were  progressing  favorably  in  the  vicinity  of 
Charleston.  There  was  quite  a  stir  and  commotion  in  and 
about  Stevenson  on  this  date,  occasioned  by  the  reports 
that  our  forces  were  in  position  before  Chattanooga,  on 
opposite  side  of  the  river. 

Wednesday,  August  2Qth. — Cool  weather,  and  strong 
wind.  Regiment  remained  in  camp  ;  off  duty.  Unmis- 
takable signs  of  a  movement  to  the  front. 


206  UNUSUAL  ACTIVITY  ABOUT  STEVENSON. 

Thursday,  August  27th. — The  weather  was  cool  again 
on  this  date.  Companies  H  and  C  went  into  the  town 
of  Stevenson  to  do  provost  guard  duty.  Had  a  difficult 
task,  but  came  very  near  executing  all  orders.  Ar- 
rangements were  perfected,  or  nearly  so,  for  laying  the 
pontoons  across  the  Tennessee  River.  Were  relieved 
at  eight  A.  M.  from  provost  duty,  by  two  companies  of 
the  2d  Missouri.  Returned  to  camp.  Work  was  done 
on  the  pay-rolls  of  the  several  companies  of  the  regiment. 
During  the  afternoon  General  Rosecrans  had  a  blind  or 
screen  of  cedar-boughs  put  up  across  the  railroad  at 
the  point  of  timber  north-west  of  Stevenson ;  the  object 
being  to  hide  the  laying  of  the  pontoon  across  Crow 
Creek  from  the  rebel  signal  posted  on  the  heights 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Tennessee  River. 
During  the  night  a  road  was  cut  through  to  the  river, 
at  a  point  three  and  one-half  miles  from  Camp  Har- 
rington, where  pontoons  were  to  be  laid.  The  men  in 
Camp  Harrington  were  not  aware  of  the  cutting  out  of 
this  road  until  after  the  work  was  completed.  The 
work  was  done  with  great  dispatch  and  celerity. 

Saturday,  August  29th. — The  weather  remained  quite 
cool  in  the  early  morning.  By  the  dawn  of  day  Rose- 
crans had  a  force  of  cavalry  across  the  Tennessee  River, 
which  was  soon  re-enforced  and  supported  by  a  brigade 
of  infantry  from  Davis's  division ;  the  latter  ferried 
across  on  the  pontoon  boats.  Another  brigade  of 
infantry  was  awaiting  the  laying  of  the  pontoon  bridge. 
At  daybreak  the  pioneers  began  work,  and  by  noon  the 
bridge  was  laid,  and  the  other  brigade  crossed  immedi- 
ately, followed  by  its  train.  Scarcely  any  resistance 
was  made  to  the  crossing ;  the  enemy's  pickets  fled  to 
the  mountains,  except  the  few  that  were  captured. 


PREPARATIONS  TO  MOVE.  207 

Nothing  definite  could  be  heard  from  the  advance  of 
our  forces.  The  obtaining  of  a  foot-hold  and  base  of 
operations  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  was  re- 
garded as  a  very  decided  triumph.  High  winds  pre- 
vailed during  the  day ;  clouds  of  dust  were  flying, 
making  it  unpleasant. 

Very  cool  on  the  morning  of  Sunday,  August  30th; 
almost  cold  enough  to  make  frost.  At  7.30  A.  M.  a 
brigade  of  Davis's  division  marched  by  our  camp  on  its 
way  to  join  the  brigade  beyond  the  river.  Part  of  the  reg- 
iment went  on  picket  at  Stations  Nos.  Three  and  Five. 

Up  early  on  the  morning  of  August  31st — the  last 
day  of  summer — and  were  relieved  from  picket  at  eight 
A.  M.  Received  orders  to  pack  knapsacks  and  muster 
at  8.30  A.  M.,  and  march  at  nine.  Sent  knapsacks  to 
Stevenson  to  be  stored.  Later  the  order  to  march  at 
nine  was  countermanded,  and  the  hour  of  four  A.  M., 
September  1st,  fixed  as  the  time  to  move  out.  The 
regiment  did  not  muster  until  four  P.  M.  Nothing  out 
of  the  usual  order  took  place  during  the  closing  hours 
of  August,  1863,  except  the  movement  of  troops  from 
the  rear  to  this  point — Stevenson — to  be  ready  to  move 
farther  to  the  front  September  1st. 

Tuesday,  /September  1st. — We  were  up  as  early  as 
two  o'clock  A.  M.,  in  order  to  be  ready  to  march  at 
four.  Loaded  wagons  with  five  days'  and  haversacks 
with  three  days'  rations.  At  4.30  A.  M.  the  regiment 
marched  out  on  the  road  to  Bridgeport.  Dust  was 
abundant  in  the  road,  and  on  either  side,  but  the 
weather  being  only  moderately  warm,  the  march  was 
endurable.  Arrived  at  Bridgeport  at  9.30  A.  M.,  and 
went  into  camp  on  a  nice  ridge  immediately  west  of 
the  forts.  On  this  date  the  pontoon  bridge  had  been 


208       SHERIDAN'S  DIVISION  CROSSES  THE  RIVER. 

laid  from  the  island  to  the  farther  bank  of  the  Ten- 
nessee. From  the  Bridgeport  side  a  trestle  bridge  was 
in  course  of  construction.  The  river  was  at  a  very 
low  stage,  being,  perhaps,  eleven  feet  in  depth  in  the 
channel  of  the  stream. 

Wednesday,  September  2d. —  Weather  some  warmer. 
The  trestle  bridge  was  completed  on  this  date.  Some 
officers  of  the  regiment,  including  Captains  Mothers- 
paw,  Bennett,  and  Kyger,  crossed  the  river  early  in 
the  day,  and  returned  in  time  to  get  ready  to  move 
with  the  command.  The  trestle-work  portion  of  the 
bridge  was  about  thirteen  hundred  feet  long;  the  re- 
mainder being  pontoon.  At  9.30  A.  M.  orders  were 
received  to  march  at  one  P.  M.,  with  two  days'  rations 
in  haversacks.  We  were  in  line  at  1.30  P.  M.  The  1st 
and  3d  Brigades  crossed  the  river  first;  then,  at  3.30 
P.  M.,  our  2d  Brigade  followed,  which  placed  Sheridan's 
division  entirely  eastward  of  the  Tennessee  River. 
Soon  after  getting  across  the  river  the  march  was  re- 
sumed, and  continued  until  a  point  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  of  a  nice  spring  of  water  was  reached, 
when  a  halt  was  called,  and  the  regiment,  with  others, 
went  into  camp,  about  four  miles  from  Bridgeport.  At 
the  time  of  turning  aside  to  go  into  camp,  word  was  re- 
ceived to  the  effect  that  a  part  of  the  trestle-work  of  the 
bridge  had  given  way,  fallen  in,  precipitating  four  mule- 
teams  into  the  stream,  drowning  one  mule,  which  was 
all  the  damage  or  loss  sustained,  except  the  damage 
done  to  the  bridge.  The  accident  resulted  from  some 
imperfection  or  insecurity  of  the  connection  between  the 
trestle-work  part  and  the  pontoon  part  of  the  bridge. 
At  dusk  the  2d  Division  of  General  Thomas's  corps 
came  up  and  halted  near  us.  This  division  had  crossed 


TRO UBLE  AT  SAND  MO UNTAIN.  209 

the  river  on  pontoon  bridge  near  Stevenson.  We  were 
all  very  weary  of  the  march,  although  it  was  a  short 
one,  but  the  weather  being  very  warm  and  dry,  and 
the  dust  all  pervading,  made  the  tramp  exceedingly 
taxing  and  disagreeable.  It  was  ascertained  th'at  it  was 
probably  not  less  than  twelve  miles  to  the  nearest 
armed  rebels. 

Weather  more  pleasant  on  the  morning  of  Thursday, 
September  3d.  On  this  date  a  portion  of  General 
Thomas's  Corps  began  to  clamber  up  the  steep  side  of 
Sand  Mountain.  Four,  and  sometimes  five,  span  of 
horses  were  hitched  to  one  piece  of  artillery,  to  drag  it 
up  the  mountain  road.  The  men  and  boys  of  the  regi- 
ment had  a  jolly  time  playing  and  otherwise  amusing 
themselves  in  the  beautiful  gravelly  plat,  at  the  foot  of 
Sand  Mountain,  which  raised  its  summit  to  the  height 
of  several  hundred  feet.  At  3.30  P.  M.  news  was  re- 
ceived that  the  bridge  was  again  ready  for  trains  to 
cross  on.  At  night-fall  our  train  came  up  with  rations 
and  some  other  supplies  that  had  been  left  behind.  A 
report  was  current  in  camp  that  old  Gunter,  the 
leader  of  a  "  bushwhacking  band,"  had  been  captured 
by  a  detachment  of  the  9th  Pennsylvania  Cavalry. 
This  band  had  been  a  source  of  annoyance  and  anxiety 
to  our  foragers,  pickets,  and  scouts,  also  to  Union 
families  on  both  sides  of  the  Tennessee. 

We  were  up  at  daylight  on  September  4,  1863.  A 
cool  breeze  was  blowing  from  the  north.  The  teams 
belonging  to  Sheridan's  division  went  back  to  Bridge- 
port for  rations,  and  orders  were  issued  for  three  days' 
rations  to  be  drawn  and  put  in  haversacks.  Same 
order  required  us  to  get  ready  to  start  over  Sand 
Mountain  at  ten  A.  M.  Our  brigade  did  not  move  on 

14 


210  M ORE  EARL  Y  R1SINO—R  UMORS. 

this  date,  but  awaited  orders.  Captains  Motherspaw 
and  Kyger  went  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain  at  the 
point  where  the  road  strikes  it.  The  1st  and  3d  Brig- 
ades had  gotten  their  artillery  up  the  mountain,  and 
their  trains  headed  toward  the  road,  ready  to  move  up 
during  the  night.  One  regiment  was  waiting  at  the 
foot  of  the  mountain  for  the  purpose  of  helping  the 
mules  up  with  the  train  during  the  night. 

September  6th. — The  73d  Regiment  was  astir  early 
on  this  date.  Weather  cool;  also  a  very  heavy  dew, 
which  dropped  from  the  tree-tops,  when  swayed  by  the 
wind,  almost  as  if  a  shower  of  rain  was  falling.  Regi- 
ment remained  quietly  in  bivouac  until  noon,  at  which 
time  orders  came  to  move  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
The  regiment  moved  promptly,  with  the  exception  of 
Company  C,  which  was  left  behind  to  act  as  rear  guard 
to  train  when  it  came  along,  which  was  not  until  3.30 
P.  M.  At  five  P.  M.  the  train  having  passed,  Company 
C  started,  and  came  up  with  regiment  at  foot  of  mount- 
ain. Four  men  were  detailed  to  each  wagon,  to  help 
the  mules  with  the  train  up  the  rugged  mountain  road. 
Balance  of  regiment  followed,  and  by  eight  P.  M.  had 
reached  the  top  of  the  mountain.  The  train,  likewise, 
got  up  all  right  in  good  season,  the  men  co-operating 
with  the  mules  when  necessary.  From  an  old  mount- 
aineer we  learned  that  Chattanooga  was  thirty  miles  dis- 
tant. Same  man  had  heard  that  Bragg  had  left  with 
his  army  for  Rome  or  Atlanta.  We  moved  on  four 
miles  farther,  and  halted  for  the  night.  The  road  was 
comparatively  good  on  top  the  mountain,  with  the  ex- 
ception that  it  was  very  sandy. 

Up  at  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  September 
6th.  Had  orders  to  march  at  four  A.  M.,  but  did  not 


CROSS  THE  GEORGIA  LINE.  211 

get  under  way  until  five.     Weather  cool  early  in  the 
day ;  the  dust,  however,  was  a  drawback,  and  made  the 
marching  exceedingly  disagreeable.     Some  of  the  views 
we  got  while  passing  along  the  elevated  highway — truly 
a  high  way — were  beautifully  grand.     Oak,  pine,  and 
cedar  trees  covered  the  mountain  top  on  either  side  of 
the  road.     Here  and  there  huts,  built  of  logs,  could  be 
seen,  generally    somebody   living  or  staying  in   them. 
Near  by  each  hut  would  be  a  patch  of  cleared  land,  in- 
differently cultivated.     To  an  Illinoisian  it  looked  like 
a  hard  place  to  live,  or  make  a  living.     We  came  to  the 
Georgia  line  at  6.45  A.  M.     We  were  marching  in  a 
south-east  course,  on  the  road  to  Trenton,  still  on  the 
table-land.     At  7.30  we  came  to  the  eastern  slope  of 
Sand  Mountain,  having  traveled  nine  miles  since  leaving 
the  western  slope.     On  going  down  the  eastern  slope  of 
the  mountain  we  found  the  road  very  rough  in  places. 
We    passed    several    broken    wagons,    that    had    been 
crushed   in  making  the   descent  of  the  difficult  road. 
Shortly  after  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  we  reached  the  foot  of 
the  mountain,  passed   General  Negley's  head-quarters, 
some  troops  of  his  division,  and  the  3d  Brigade  of  our 
division,  and    halted    within    one-quarter  of  a  mile  of 
Trenton,  to  remain  one  hour.     On  the  way  to  this  point 
we  passed  an  old  rebel  camp,  where  a  halt  had   been 
called  on  the  retreat  from  Tennessee.     At  10.15  A.  M. 
we  resumed  our  march,  and  passed  through  the  little  vil- 
lage of  Trenton,  county-seat  of  Bade  County,  Georgia. 
Eight  or  ten   houses,  besides  an  ordinary  court-house, 
was  all  the  town  contained.     From  Trenton  we  passed 
on,  going  directly  southward  up  the  valley  two  miles ; 
our  brigade  in  front,  and   the  73d  in  front  of  brigade. 
At  11.30  we  halted  at  a  farm-house,  which  betok- 


212  IN  LOOKOUT  VALLEY. 

ened  a  wealthy  owner,  as  far  as  appearances  went. 
We  rested  one-half  hour  in  a  beautiful  grove,  then  took 
the  rocky  and  dusty  road,  and  moved  slowly  on.  The 
heat  was  oppressive  in  the  valley.  Many  of  the  men 
had  to  drop  out ;  and  at  one  P.  M.  the  number  of  men 
present  with  the  regiment  at  the  head  of  the  marching 
column  did  not  much  exceed  one  hundred.  At  2.30 
P.  M.  we  bivouacked  six  miles  south  of  Trenton,  on 
Lookout  Creek.  Lookout  Mountain  was  to  the  east, 
and  Sand  Mountain  to  the  west  of  us.  Two  divisions 
of  General  Thomas's  Corps  reported  to  General  McCook. 
All  of  our  (Sheridan's)  division  arrived,  and  went  into 
camp,  near  at  hand.  Were  called  out  at  3.30  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th  of  September,  to  get  ready  to  march 
at  five.  Started  on  time,  the  73d  in  rear  of  brigade. 
We  moved  up .  Lookout  Valley  toward  Lebanon  ;  the 
road  ran  nearly  due  southward.  The  soil  in  the  valley 
was  rich  and  very  productive.  After  marching  six 
miles,  we  halted  at  a  point  near  where  we  crossed 
Lookout  Creek,  thirty  miles  from  Lebanon.  We  en- 
countered no  armed  rebels,  and  but  few  citizens ;  nearly 
all  the  male  population  in  the  Confederate  army.  Had 
a  much-needed  rest,  after  which  we  changed  position  a 
short  distance  to  the  front/in  an  open  field.  Lieuteaant- 
Colonel  Davidson  gave  expression  to  the  opinion  that 
we  would  remain  at  that  point  during  the  afternoon  and 
night.  No  armed  rebels  were  anywhere  to  be  seen. 
They  were  reported  to  be  in  force  on  the  mountain  to 
our  front,  ready  to  contest  our  passage  further  in  that 
direction.  It  is  quite  probable,  however,  they  would 
have  allowed  as  many  of  our  troops  to  pass  eastward  of 
Lookout  Mountain  as  their  force  could  have  cut  off  and 
captured.  With  the  exception  of  Companies  C  and  I, 


REPORTS— GRAND  SCENERY.  213 

the  regiment  went  on  picket.  The  companies  named 
were  excused  from  picket  in  this  instance  on  account 
of  having  helped  the  mules  with  the  train  up  Sand 
Mountain. 

The  weather  was  more  pleasant  on  the  morning  of 
September  8th,  attributable  to  the  light  shower  which 
fell  during  the  afternoon  of  the  7th.  No  orders ;  all 
quiet.  Part  of  the  regiment  went  on  picket  at  noon. 
No  trustworthy  news  from  the  front.  Report  current 
that  Chattanooga  was  evacuated.  Favorable  reports 
received  from  the  vicinity  of  Charleston,  South  Caro- 
lina. On  Wednesday,  September  9th,  the  weather  was 
agreeable.  Some  changes  were  made  in  camp,  with  a 
view  to  the  comfort  of  the  men. 

In  the  afternoon  J.  J.  Goullee  and  J.  Dolby,  of 
Company  H,  and  Geo.  W.  Martin  and  Captain  Kyger, 
of  Company  C,  started  on  an  independent  scouting  ex- 
pedition up  one  of  the  highest  and  most  romantic  por- 
tions of  Lookout  Mountain.  A  guide,  in  the  person  of 
a  boy  belonging  in  a,  family  living  near  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  was  procured.  The  boy  was  a  regular 
mountaineer;  knew  nothing  else  but  mountain.  The 
party  ignored  the  road  and  moved  up  the  rough  and 
rocky  side  of  the  mountain  very  slowly,  passing  through 
pine  woods  and  quite  a  variety  of  timber,  oak  predomi- 
nating. After  proceeding  about  one  mile  the  party 
came  to  a  large  ledge  of  projecting  rock.  With  much 
effort,  putting  the  foot  in  niches  in  the  rocks,  grasp- 
ing hold  of  shrubs  and  pulling  up,  the  ledge  of  rock 
was  surmounted,  and  a  very  fine  view  of  the  valley  be- 
low was  obtained.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  see,  the 
scenery  in  all  directions  was  exceedingly  attractive  and 
grand. 


214  FROM  ORIGIN  A  L  DATA. 

We  copy  from  diary — Kyger's — as  follows  : 

"To  our  front  lay  Fox  Mountain,  about  six  miles  long,  and 
about  midway  between  Sand  and  Lookout.  It  is  pretty  nearly  as 
high  as  the  point  we  are  on.  Beyond  is  Deer  Head  Valley.  We 
left  this  position  to  reach  the  top  of  another  ledge  that  hung  over 
us.  Here  we  left  two  boys  of  Company  — ,  who  had  come  after 
us.  They  got  their  curiosity  satisfied.  Our  guide  followed  around 
the  ledge  of  rocks,  taking  us  to  a  narrow  passage,  looking  as 
though  it  was  formed  by  the  high  ribs  of  rock  dividing,  slipping 
apart  about  eighteen  inches ;  through  this  we  were  to  pass,  up  at 
an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees,  fifty  feet.  This  narrow  passage 
had  a  ceiling  overhead,  off  of  which  I  broke  a  piece  for  a  relic.* 
We  slowly  ascended,  reaching  a  point  where  the  passage  turned  to  the 
right,  and  passed  on  to  another  table.  Here  we  had  another  fine  view. 
Not  satisfied  with  this,  four  of  us  started  up  again.  Here  our  guide 
'played  out.'f  We  went  on  without  one,  stepping  from  crag  to 
crag,  holding  to  stunted  shrubs  to  assist  us  on  our  passage.  Here 
we  came  to  a  gentle  slope,  covered  with  timber  and  brush,  which 
we  soon  passed ;  thence  to  another  high  cliff,  which  we  had  to 
ascend,  that  would  bring  us  to  the  top.  We  were  eager  to  reach 
it,  and  hurried  on ;  arrived  on  the  table-land,  or  rock,  at  four  P.  M., 
two  hours  being  occupied  in  our  ascend.  This  point  gave  us  still 
more  romantic  views,  to  the  front,  right,  and  left,  over  the  valley. 
We  could  see  in  the  dim  distance  a  range  of  the  Cumberland  Mount- 
ains, beyond  the  Tennessee  River.  We  could  see  all  our  camps 
up  and  down  the  valley  for  miles.  Our  brigade  was  so  far  below 
us  as  to  look  as  though  it  was  but  a  regiment.  We  found  the 
table-land  rocky,  with  a  stunted  growth  of  oak-timber  on  it.  We 
did  not  go  far.  It  is  five  miles  to  where  it  descends  into  the  val- 
ley on  the  east.  '  Remained  on  top  one-half  hour,  and  then  com- 
menced our  descent,  passing  away  the  time,  when  we  would  stop 
to  rest,  by  starting  huge  rocks  to  rolling  down ;  they  would  go 
bumping  against  the  trees  and  rocks  as  far  as  we  could  see  them 
[and  much  farther].  We  reached  camp  at  six  P.  M.,  feeling  well 
paid  for  our  trip."  £ 


*  Yes,  we  venture  to  assert  that  Kyger  had  relics  enough  to  stall 
an  ordinary  mule-team,  if  they  were  all  collected  and  put  into  one  load. 

t  Very  likely  he  went  to  conduct  another  party  to  a  place  where 
it  could  make  prisoners  of  the  first  party. 

J  So,  if  the  guide  had  sought  to  betray  the  squad,  his  effort  was  vain. 


SO  HE  EXTREME LY  WARM  WEATHER.  215 

On  Thursday,  September  10th,  the  regiment  was  up 
at  three,  to  be  ready  to  march  at  five  A.  M.  Did  not 
get  off  until  seven.  The  3d  Division  all  moved  out,  our 
2d  Brigade  in  the  rear;  the  73d,  "left  in  front,"  led  the 
brigade.  Assistant  Surgeon  Rich,  who  had  resigned  on 
account  of  ill-health,  left  the  regiment  on  this  date  for 
his  home  in  Illinois. 

On  getting  fairly  started,  we  marched  southward 
up  Lookout  Valley.  The  rate  of  speed  for  three  miles 
was  not  rapid,  but  on  making  this  distance  and  after 
a  short  halt,  orders  came  to  push  forward  as  hurriedly 
as  possible.  The  roadside  soon  became  lined  with  sol- 
diers, from  all  the  regiments,  who  were  unable  to  keep 
up.  Another  halt,  after  marching  five  miles  over  a 
hard,  gravelly  road.  The  heat  of  the  sun  was  severe, 
as  reflected  from  the  gravel  and  rocks,  and  one  man  of 
the  42d  Illinois  who  had  been  prostrated  by  sunstroke, 
did  not  recover.  We  passed  the  point  where  Johnson's 
division  had  been  camped  on  the  9th.  We  moved  on 
slowly,  halting  frequently  to  rest ;  the  heat  was  such  as 
to  make  it  necessary  to  do  this.  The  next  four  or  five 
miles  brought  us  to  Valley  Head,  the  foot  of  the  mount- 
ain, where  we  expected  to  have  some  more  climbing 
to  do.  To  reach  this  point  we  had  crossed  the  State 
line  into  Alabama.  The  1st  Division  had  been  at  this 
point  since  Saturday,  the  5th,  up  to  Wednesday,  the  9th. 
.  At  two  P.  M.  we  started  up  the  mountain.  The 
road  was  steep,  but  much  smoother  than  the  road  over 
Sand  Mountain.  The  train  got  up  without  much  diffi- 
culty, and  without  so  much  re-enforcement  of  the  mules 
by  the  tired  men.  On  the  way  up  we  rested  often,  as 
the  weather  was  extremely  warm.  We  reached  the 
point  selected  as  our  stopping  place  for  the  night  at 


216  UP  AND  DOWN— UP  AND  OVER. 

about  six  P.  M.  Quite  a  number  of  the  regiment  had 
failed  to  keep  up,  although  our  progress  had  been  slow, 
and  these  kept  arriving  later.  Davis's  and  Johnson's 
divisions  had  passed  on  over  the  mountain,  except  one 
brigade  which  had  been  left  to  the  rear  as  guard  to  the 
train.  No  disturbance  during  the  night. 

Were  called  up  at  3.30  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
Friday,  September  llth,  to  get  ready  to  march  at  five 
o'clock.  Got  under  way  at  six,  and  marched  steadily 
on  across  the  table-lands  nearly  twelve  miles,  and  ar- 
rived at  the  point  where  the  descent  of  the  eastern 
slope  commenced,  at  eleven  A.  M.  We  started  down 
promptly,  and  found  the  road  rough  and  difficult.  On 
reaching  a  point  about  one-half  way  down  to  the  val- 
ley, we  came  to  a  piece  of  artillery  with  the  coupling 
between  the  caisson  and  gun  broken.  This  accident 
resulted  in  a  detention  of  the  column  for  nearly  three 
hours.  The  greater  portion  of  the  44th  and  73d,  which 
were  to  the  rear,  passed  on  to  the  valley  for  water,  the 
weather  being  very  sultry.  When  we  reached  the  val- 
ley, we  found  the  1st  and  2d  Divisions;  also  a  small 
village,  named  Alpine,  located  just  across  the  line,  in 
Georgia.  General  McCook's  head-quarters  were  at  Al- 
pine. We  passed  a  mile  or  more  beyond  the  village, 
and  went  into  camp  in  the  midst  of  a  nice  grove 
of  young  timber.  Near  the  point  where  our  camp 
was  located,  our  cavalry  and  that  of  the  enemy 
had  quite  a  skirmish  on  September  8th,  resulting  in 
the  loss  of  two  killed  and  four  or  five  wounded,  on 
our  side.  The  rebel  loss  not  ascertained,  beyond  the 
certainty  that  it  exceeded  our  own.  The  result  of 
the  skirmish  was  a  total  rout  of  the  rebels.  A  report 
was  circulated,  and  generally  believed,  that  Bragg  and 


BOLD  FRONT-  UP  EARL  Y.  217 

part  of  his  army  had  reached  Rome.  Of  course,  we 
found  out  later  that  this  report  was  deceptive ;  perhaps 
intended  to  mislead. 

Saturday,  September  12tfA. — On  this  date  we  were 
up  and  under  arms  at  four  A.  M.  Our  precautions 
availed  us  nothing,  as  no  attack  WHS  made  or  threat- 
ened, as  far  as  indications  visible  to  us  showed.  But 
it  was  better  to  have  precautions  and  no  attack,  than 
to  have  an  attack  and  no  precautions  or  preparations  to 
meet  it.  Fresh  pork  and  green  apples  entered  into 
the  "  bill  of  fare "  for  breakfast  with  many  of  the 
messes  on  this  date,  which  was  an  addition  to  the  lim- 
ited supply  of  army  rations  that  was  highly  relished. 

Many  rumors  concerning  the  "whereabouts"  of 
Bragg  and  his  army  afloat  in  the  camps.  From  the  ad- 
vance of  our  cavalry  word  came  that  Bragg's  army  was 
presenting  a  bold  front,  some  fifteen  miles'  out.  This 
word  was  pretty  generally  believed,  but  as  to  whether 
the  bold  front  indicated  an  early  fight,  or  a  hasty  retreat, 
no  person  could  tell.  Time  told.  All  our  trains  were 
ordered  to  the  rear. 

We  were  up  and  under  arms  at  four  o'clock  on 
Sunday  morning,  September  13th.  No  disturbance  in 
our  immediate  vicinity.  We  drew  three  days'  rations 
and  put  them  in  haversacks.  The  trains  went  on 
to  the  rear.  Bodies  of  cavalry  discernible  on  top  of 
the  mountain.  As  it  was  our  own  cavalry,  there  was 
reason  to  believe  we  should  soon  have  a  general  en- 
gagement. At  eight  A.  M.  we  were  hurried  into  line, 
and  marched  to  the  rear,  the  73d  in  front  of  brigade. 
We  reached  the  foot  of  the  mountain  at  nine  A.  M., 
where  we  found  the  3d  Brigade.  At  9.30  we  were 
awaiting  orders.  Had  a  report  that  a  fight  was 


218  DUST  KICKED  UP— UP  EARLY. 

going  on  between  a  part  of  General  Thomas's  corps 
and  the  enemy.  At  11.15  A.  M.  we  filed  off  to 
the  right  into  an  old  orchard,  halted,  and  stacked 
arms,  to  await  the  passage  of  the  train  up  the  mount- 
ain. Near  at  hand  were  thirty-five  rebels  that 
had  been  captured  since  our  forces  had  been  in  the 
valley.  Ten  more  were  captured  and  added  to  the 
squad  during  the  afternoon.  The  train  made  slow 
progress  in  getting  up  the  mountain.  At  five  P.  M. 
fifteen  men  were  called  for  to  help  a  battery  up  hill. 
At  5.20  P.  M.  we  had  orders  to  move  up ;  we  took 
the  road,  marched  slowly  and  "  at  will."  We  had 
time  to  stop,  '"about  face,"  and  look  over  the 
valley.  A  grand  sight  was  presented.  We  could 
plainly  see  clouds  of  dust  rising  in  the  distance,  prob- 
ably fifteen  miles  away.  Some  supposed  the  dust 
was  raised  by  the  movement  of  Confederate  troops, 
either  advancing  or  retreating.  By  6.30  P.  M.  we 
had  arrived  in  Alabama,  on  top  of  Lookout  Mountain. 
We  halted  awhile  until  the  1st  and  2d  Divisions 
passed;  then  we  moved  on  two  and  one-half  miles 
and  bivouacked  for  the  night.  This  last  jaunt  was 
made  through  dust  and  darkness. 

On  Monday,  September  14th,  we  were  up  at  3.30 
A.  M.  to  march  at  five.  Got  started  at  5.30.  We 
were  moving  to  support  General  Thomas,  which  neces- 
sitated a  march  of  quite  forty  miles  to  and  up  Blue 
Bird  Pass.  Bragg  was  threatening  to  break  through  at 
that  point,  and  in  case  he  massed  his  forces  against 
Thomas,  the  latter  would  need  help.  We  arrived  at 
the  point  where  the  descent  of  the  western  slope  of  the 
mountain  began  shortly  after  ten  A.  M.  We  tarried 
not,  but  proceeded  to  the  valley,  leaving  Johnson's  and 


RETURN  OF  COLONEL  JAQUESS.  219 

Davis's  divisions  and  the  1st  Brigade  of  our  division 
on  top  of  the  mountain.  We  marched  on  through  val- 
ley head,  and  passed  some  artillery,  infantry  and 
cavalry;  then  hurried  on,  and  by  one  o'clock  P.  M. 
the  entire  regiment,  almost,  had  dropped  out  and 
joined  the  long  line  of  stragglers  in  the  rear.  At 
the  hour  last  named  we  reached  a  spring  of  water  in 
Lookout  Valley,  and  General  Sheridan  ordered  a  halt 
for  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  afford  opportunity  to 
make  coffee.  This  halt  enabled  many  who  had  dropped 
behind  to  catch  up.  The  coffee  was  hastily  disposed 
of,  and  we  were  called  into  column  and  marched  seven 
miles  by  2.30  P.  M.,  when  another  halt  was  called. 
We  were  soon  on  the  way  again,  but  we  moved  slowly 
and  rested  often — from  the  necessities  of  the  case — 
until  five  P.  M.  By  six  P.  M.  we  were  bivouacked 
for  the  night  on  the  same  ground  we  had-  encamped  on 
during  the  night  of  September  8th.  On  this  date — 
September  14th — we  marched  twenty-four  miles,  a  long 
and  fatiguing  march,  considering  the  heat  and  dust. 
Colonel  Jaquess  was  awaiting  us  at  this  point.  Having 
been  absent  from  the  regiment  for  some  time,  making 
an  effort  to  visit  Richmond  and  Jefferson  Davis,  the 
colonel  was  gladly  received,  and  in  acknowledgment, 
made  a  short  speech.  We  were  twelve  miles  south  of 
Trenton.  Had  a  fairly  good  rest  the  night  of  Septem- 
ber 14th,  but  had  to  get  up  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th,  to  get  ready  to  move  at  five  A.  M.  The  order  to 
march  at  five  was  countermanded,  and  we  were  directed 
to  hold^ourselves  in  readiness  to  move  at  a  moment's 
warning.  Company  C  und  ten  men  from  Company  G 
went  on  picket  at  a  station  on  the  side  of  the  mountain. 
Before  two  hours  passed,  orders  were  hurriedly  sent  out 


220  THE  MEDICAL  WAGON  UPSET. 

to  withdraw  the  pickets,  as  the  brigade  had  again 
started  on  the  march.  The  road  followed  was  an 
obscure  one  and  little  used ;  the  pioneers  passed  us 
and  went  on,  to  remove  fallen  timber  from  the  road. 
We  marched  steadily  and  arrived  at  Johnson's  Cove  at 
5.15  P.  M.,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night.  Colonel 
Jaquess  assumed  command  .of  the  regiment  on  this 
date.  Before  dark  Company  C  was  sent  one-third  of  a 
mile  to  the  rear  to  do  picket  duty  on  the  road.  Two 
sentinels  were  put  out.  The  train  kept  passing  these 
sentinels  until  it  became  too  dark  to  see  how  to  drive. 
Train  was  corralled  along  the  road,  with  many  wagons 
and  teams  outside  the  pickets.  The  medical  wagon, 
No.  Thirteen,  turned  over  and  much  damage  was  done 
to  the  contents.  At  6.30  on  the  morning  of  Wednes- 
day, September  16th,  Company  C  was  ordered  in  from 
picket  and  marched  to  the  foot  of  Johnson's  Cove,  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  regiment,  which  was  rear  guard 
to  the  division  train.  At  ten  A.  M.  regiment  started 
up  the  mountain,  leaving  eight  men  with  each  wagon  to 
help  the  mules  up  the  steep  road  with  the  train.  It 
required  the  putting  forth  of  the  utmost  strength  of 
the  mules  and  men  to  get  the  train  over  the  most  diffi- 
cult places  in  the  road.  On  getting  fully  half-way  up 
the  mountain  we  came  to  a  small  field,  an  orchard,  and 
an  old  log  hut.  In  the  hut  was  a  poor,  helpless  woman, 
suffering  from  intermittent  fever.  She  was  lying  on  a 
very  scant  and  rickety  bed,  and  had  an  army  blanket 
for  her  covering.  There  was  no  furniture  in  the  house. 
A  part  box  of  army  crackers,  some  coffee  and  sugar  had 
been  left  by  the  passing  soldiers,  for  the  woman  and  her 
two  small  children  to  subsist  on.  The  husband  and 
father  had  been  killed  in  the  rebel  army  about  six 


SOMETHING  IN  THE  AIR.  221 

months  previously.  The  floor  of  the  old  hut  being 
partly  gone,  and  some  of  the  many  spaces  between  logs 
of  the  side  walls,  being  not  less  than  ten  inches  wide, 
together  with  the  suffering  and  poverty  within,  made 
the  picture  a  sad  one  to  contemplate.  Shortly  after 
twelve,  noon,  we  reached  the  top  of  the  mountain. 
Had  time  for  rest  and  coffee.  A  mail  was  also  unex- 
pectedly and  joyfully  received.  Time  being  taken  to 
dispose  of  the  mail,  we  did  not  get  under  way  again 
until  3.30  P.  M.  After  making  a  jaunt  of  two  miles, 
we  came  to  Stevens's  Gap,  on  the  way  to  Chattanooga 
Valley.  We  made  the  descent  to  the  valley — two 
miles — nicely  and  in  good  time.  The  pioneers  went  in 
advance  and  removed  some  of  the  obstructions  from  the 
road.  We  bivouacked  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain  in 
McLamore's  Cove,  where  we  found  part  of  General 
Thomas's  14th.  Corps.  In  the  skirmish  of  Saturday, 
September  12th,  our  side  lost  twenty-four  killed,  and 
the  rebel  loss  was  still  greater;  the  rebels  gave  way 
and  fell  back.  No  fighting  since  to  this  date.  Our 
position,  McLamore's  Cove,  was  twenty-two  miles  from 
Chattanooga,  and  nearly  or  quite  that  distance  from 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy. 

All  the  men  were  up  by  daylight  of  September 
17th,  Thursday.  A  cool  breeze  was  stirring,  making 
the  weather  more  pleasant.  General  Thomas's  troops 
moved  out  early  in  the  day,  going  in  the  direction  of 
the  enemy.  A  collision  hourly  expected.  A  report  of 
cannon — single  gun — heard  at  7.15  A.  M.  At  7.30 
two  reports,  and  at  7.45  three  more  guns  were  fired, 
but  no  response  came  from  the  enemy.  This  demon- 
stration was  supposed  to  be  twelve  to  twenty  miles 
distant.  It  was  nearer,  however,  as  subsequent  events 


222  ON  TO  CHICKAMAUOA. 

indicated.  The  wounded  of  Saturday's  skirmish  were 
sent  to  Chattanooga. 

At  11.30  A.  M.  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  Davis's 
division  arrived  from  the  top  of  mountain,  and  halted 
near  us  at  noon.  The  bugles  sounded  the  strike-tent  call 
at  12.15  P.  M.  Got  ready,  and  marched  immediately, 
the  73d  in  front  of  brigade.  After  going  nearly  one- 
half  mile,  we  formed  line  of  battle.  At  two  P.  M.  had 
orders  to  change  front  to  the  south,  and  support  bat- 
tery of  the  3d  Brigade.  We  formed  immediately  to 
the  rear  in  an  open  field,  with  our  left  touching  the 
woods;  to  our  front  was  a  field  full  of  standing  dead 
trees.  The  44th  Illinois  and  the  2d  and  15th  Missouri 
Regiments  formed  to  our  right,  and  to  the  rear  of  our  bat- 
tery. The  rebels  were  reported  to  be  intent  on  coming 
through  the  gap.  We  remained  in  position  during  the 
afternoon.  All  quiet  to  the  front.  Later,  we  changed 
our  position  to  the  rear  a  short  distance  to  pass  the  night. 

Weather  much  cooler  early  on  the  18th.  There 
was  some  rain  and  a  strong  wind.  We  were  aroused 
early,  to  draw  two  days'  rations,  peparatory  to  sending 
the  train  to  the  rear.  We  were  up  at  four  A.  M.  to 
watch  for  the  enemy,  and  at  six  the  train  was  to  have 
started  to  the  rear,  but  the  order  was  countermanded. 
At  9.30  A.  M.  we  had  orders  to  move  to  the  south- 
east three  miles,  near  Dug  Pass.  We  moved  at  once, 
and  arrived  there  at  noon.  We  went  into  camp  in  an 
open  field  which  had  been  occupied  by  the  rebels  only 
the  day  before — 17th.  Weather  quite  cool ;  a  north 
wind  blowing.  But  little  was  done  in  arranging  our 
bivouac,  and  we  hastily  dispatched  our  suppers  on 
account  of  the  reception  of  orders  to  march.  The 
bugles  sounded  "  a  ready,"  but  we  did  not  go  until 


A  MIDNIGHT  MARCH.  223 

all  our  train  passed,  which  detained  us  until  10.30 
P.  M.  The  44th  and  73d  Illinois  were  left  behind  as 
rear  guard.  We  marched  very  slowly  in  a  north-east- 
erly direction,  making  but  five  miles  by  two  o'clock 
A.  M.  of  the  19th.  Before  this  date  the  initial  move- 
ments and  engagements  immediately  preliminary  to  the 
great  battle  of  Chickamauga  had  been  made,  and  partici- 
pated in,  principally  by  the  cavalry,  on  our  part.  This 
being  a  regimental  history  simply,  we  shall  try  to  follow 
the  fortunes  of  the  73d  pretty  closely  through  this  and 
a  few  succeeding  dates.  In  order  to  not  fail  in  this,  we 
shall  copy  almost  verbatim  from  Captain  Kyger's  diary. 
We  put  it  all  within  quotation-marks,  though  we  do  not 
use  Kyger's  language  precisely,  but  adhere  tenaciously 
to  his  facts : 

"  Bivouac  eight  miles  north-east  of  Stevens' s  Gap,  Lookout  Mount- 
ain, Ga.,  Saturday,  September  19,  1863. —  Arrived  here  at  two 
A.  M,;  sleepy  and  dusty.  There  was  heavy  skirmishing  on  the 
left  yesterday.  6.30  A.  M. — Up,  after  having  a  short  nap. 
Orders  to  move  at  seven  o'clock;  cool.  Orders  countermanded. 
Right  wing  of  regiment  on  picket.  8  A.  M. — Heavy  cannonading 
heard  away  to  the  left.  10  A.  M. — Davis's  division  moved  for- 
ward ;  also  Johnson's.  11  A.  M. — We  were  ordered  forward. 
We  marched  out  one-half  mile ;  heavy  cannonading  heard,  appar- 
ently five  miles  north-east.  All  moving  toward  it,  both  trains 
and  troops.  2.15  P.  M. — Arrived  within  twelve  miles  of  Chatta- 
nooga. Cannonading  steady.  We  were  halted  at  a  nice  point, 
near  to  a  school-house,  and  the  largest  spring  I  ever  saw,  flowing 
out  of  bluff.  General  Negley's  division  is  here,  but  when  we 
arrived  it  moved  on.  We  remained  until  pretty  well  rested,  and 
then  moved  forward  to  the  battle-field.  After  marching  nearly 
two  miles,  we  arrived  at  the  point  where  we  formed  in  first  battle- 
line,  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  We  formed  for  the  purpose  of  resisting 
a  flank  movement.  We  soon  left  this  position  and  moved  one-half 
mile  farther  to  the  front,  and  formed  in  line  four  different  times, 
and  in  as  many  places ;  after  which  we  moved  to  the  left  and 
formed  the  fifth  time,  in  the  woods  this  time,  immediately  in 


224  SATURDAY,  SEPTEMBER  19,  1863. 

rear  of  the  3d  Brigade  of  our  division ,  which  was  already  heavily 
engaged.  The  2d  and  15th  Missouri  Kegiments  were  posted  to 
our  front;  the  44th  Illinois  in  same  line  with  the  73d.  The 
3d  Brigade — Colonel  Bradley's — made  a  charge  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  a  point  of  timber  he  held.  General  J.  C.  Davis's  division 
was  immediately  to  the  left  of  our  3d  Brigade,  and  failed  to  hold 
its  position,  which  caused  3d  Brigade  to  receive  a  heavy  flank 
fire,  compelling  it  to  fall  back  with  heavy  loss.  Company  A, 
25th  Illinois — in  Davis's  division — lost  two  killed,  George  Staats 
and  Alex  Blake ;  and  Bob  Carney,  Pleas  West,  Aaron  Newlin, 
Orderly  Sergeant  Newlon,  James  Hasting,  John  Milholland,  Cy. 


SUPPORTING   SKIRMISHERS. 

Bellus,  and  Henry  Thompson,  wounded.  The  25th  moved  to  the 
rear ;  was  not  engaged  any  more  that  evening.  We  continued  in 
line  of  battle  without  change  of  position  until  morning.  There 
was  firing  at  intervals  until  7.30  o'clock  P.  M.  We  have  to  fight 
the  combined  forces  of  Generals  Longstreet,  Johnson,  and  Bragg. 
The  results  of  the  day  were  considered  rather  in  favor  of  the 
"rebs."  Heavy  losses  on  both  sides. 

"  On  the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga,  Sunday  morning,  September 
20,  1868. — We  were  up  at  three  A.  M.  Spent  a  very  unpleasant 
night.  Frost.  All  seems  quiet  along  the  lines,  except  occasional 
picket  shots.  At  five  o'clock  A.  M.  we  changed  position,  three 


THE  GENERAL  ENGAGEMENT.         225 

and  a  quarter  miles  to  the  rear  and  right,  making  the  extreme 
right  flank  of  the  army.  Had  a  good  position  on  a  hill  for  our 
batteries,  and  for  infantry.  Eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  the  ball  opened 
on  our  center  and  to  right  of  center.  Charge  after  charge  was 
made  by  the  rebs,  with  hideous  yells,  and  at  about  11.15  A.  M. 
they  commenced  to  turn  our  left.  We — 2d  Brigade — were  called 
to  support  center ;  moved  down,  took  our  position  in  front  of 
battery,  the  44th  and  73d  forming  the  first  line;  2d  and  15th 
Missouri  in  second  line.  Our  position  was  in  an  open  field,  about 
thirty  rods  wide ;  then  came  a  pine  thicket,  furnishing  a  fine  pro- 
tection for  the  rebs  to  advance  through.  At  twelve  o'clock  M. 
we  were  ordered  to  fix  bayonets  and  charge  across  the  field  and 
meet  the  advancing  foe,  coming  eight  lines  deep  toward  us.  On 
reaching  the  edge  of  pine-grove,  orders  came  for  us  to  halt  and 
fire.  This  was  amid  a  shower  of  balls  flying  from  our  front,  right, 
and  left.  Sergeant  Lewis,  regimental  color-bearer,  fell  just  before 
we  halted,  wounded  in  the  leg.  I  sent  Sergeants  Newlin  and 
Brown  to  carry  him  from  the  field.  Neither  of  the  three  was 
heard  of  after  the  battle.  Art.  Terrell  fell  dead  within  a  yard  of 
me,  pierced  through  the  temples  by  a  ball.  Enoch  Smith  thought 
to  be  killed,  and  John  Bostwick  wounded  ;  I  ordered  Sam  Boen 
to  carry  him  off,  but  he  did  not  get  him,  for  before  reaching  him 
Boen  had  to  leave  to  save  his  own  life.  The  flag  was  taken  up 
by  one  of  the  color  guard,  immediately  after  Lewis  fell ;  he  soon 
fell ;  taken  up  by  another ;  he  fell.  Then  a  retreat  was  ordered. 
I  grasped  the  colors  and  carried  them  off  the  field.  I  was  not 
struck,  only  by  a  buckshot,  and  that  lodged  in  my  haversack, 
checked  by  striking  my  tin  cup.  The  regiment  retreated  "  pell 
mell ;"  could  not  be  rallied  to  be  effective  again  during  the  charge. 
The  first  man  of  Company  C  that  I  saw  was  H.  H.  Reagan,  then 
A.  E.  Lewis,  S.  J.  Boen,  J.  A.  Allison,  Wesley  Bishop,  Jona- 
than Ellis,  Wallace  Ward,  and  Abraham  Jones ;  these  eight  men 
were  all  that  stacked  arms  in  Company  C  within  three  hours  after 
the  engagement.  The  regiment  had  seventy-four  privates,  twenty- 
four  non-commissioned  officers,  and  thirteen  commissioned  officers. 
The  regiment  went  in  with  twenty-three  commissioned  officers  and 
two^hundred  and  eighty-five  enlisted  men.  Major  Smith,  killed  ; 
Adjutant  Winget,  killed ;  also  Captain  Rice,  of  Company  K.* 
Captains  Motherspaw  and  Ingersoll,  and  Lieutenants  Lawrence 


*  Captain  Rice  was  made  prisoner. 

15 


226 


FALLING  BACK  ON  CHATTANOOGA. 


and  Patten  wounded.  Company  C  went  in  with  twenty-nine 
men,  and  at  night  there  were  ten  missing  that  we  could  not 
account  for,  Orderly  Sergeant  Smith,  and  Sergeants  Brown, 
Lewis,  and  Newlin  among  them.  From  the  point  where  the 
regiment  re-formed  after  the  charge  we  were  taken  by  Gen- 
eral Sheridan  three  miles  to  the  rear,  and  then  we  were  taken 
three  miles  in  the  direction  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army,  to 
support  it  if  necessary.  After  reaching  a  point  from  which  we 

.could  see  the  rebel  camp- 
fires,  we  found  our  services 
were  not  needed,  and  we 
returned  three  miles,  and 
halted  at  ten  P.  M.,  very 
weary.  Samuel  Hewit  came 
up,  slightly  wounded  in  the 
back.  Lieutenant  Moore, 
from  the  25th  Illinois,  came 
to  see  us.  His  company  was 
badly  cut  up.  We  visited 
the  125th  Illinois;  found  it 
all  right.  It  was  in  the  en- 
gagement, lying  behind  a 
battery  to  support  it;  was 
not  further  engaged.  The 
army  is  all  retreating,  and 
the  greater  part  of  it  has 
reached  this  point,  which 
is  just  in  Tennessee,  and 
four  miles  from  the  battle- 
field. 

"  Bivouac,  four  miles  from  Chattanooga,  Monday,  September  1, 
1868. — At  daybreak  this  morning  I  learned  that  General  Rose- 
craus's  army  had  reached  this  point,  on  its  way  to  Chattanooga. 
Succeeded  in  getting  the  greater  portion  of  the  wounded  off  the  field. 
The  loss  was  heavy  on  both  sides.  The  reorganization  of  the  dif- 
ferent corps  was  immediately  commenced,  and  a  line  of  battle 
formed  for  defense,  until  the  missing  ones  —  as  many  as  could  — 
came  up.  We  moved  out  to  our  position  at  twelve  o'clock  noon. 
Slight  musketry  and  battery  firing  commenced  atone  o'clock  P.  M., 
on  the  left,  and  continued  during  the  afternoon.  This  was  kept 
up  between  the  rebel  cavalry  and  our  skirmishers  and  a  portion  of 


ORDERLY  SERGEANT  D.  A.  SMITH, 
COMPANY  C. 


AFTER  THE  BATTLE.  227 

our  cavalry.  The  73d  now  had  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  guns 
in  stack,  and  fourteen  commissioned  officers  present.  We  changed 
our  position  slightly,  and  remained  during  the  afternoon  and  early 
part  of  the  night.  Company  cooks  Joseph  W.  Reagan  and  Thomas 
Judd  came  up  at  twelve  midnight.  No  further  account  of  the 
missing  boys.  Rumors  of  the  arrival  of  re-enforcements  ;  but  I 
fear  they  are  not  reliable.  Farther  retreat  seems  imminent.  Sad, 
sad  time! 

"  Bivouac,  four  miles  from  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Tuesday,  Sep- 
tember 22,  1863. — Three  o'clock  A.  M. — Up,"  and  orders  to  fall  back, 
but  did  not  start  until  4.30.  We  were  to  the  rear  of  all  but  the 
cavalry  and  the  reserve  corps.  We  reached  Chattanooga  before 
sunrise,  and  halted  in  a  grove,  but  were  soon  called  on  for  a  detail 
to  work  on  the  fortifications,  which  were  already  commenced. 
Nat,  Henderson,  and  myself  went  down  town  to  look  after  our 
wounded.  Found  Lieutenant  Lawrence ;  wounded  in  mouth,  three 
upper  teeth  knocked  out ;  not  otherwise  injured.  Henderson  Good- 
win was  in  same  room  ;  wounded  in  left  forearm.  H.  C.  Hender- 
son was  wounded  in  knee ;  not  seriously  ;  he  was  sent  across  the 
river ;  we  did  not  get  to  see  him.  Met  Cousin  Charles  Kyger  in 
hospital ;  his  health  not  good  ;  he  was  not  in  the  battle.  Returned, 
and  found  the  brigade  had  been  sent  to  the  front,  to  take  position 
on  Chattanooga  Creek,  near  a  rolling-mill  and  a  large  tannery, 
about  one-half  mile  from  the  nose  of  Lookout  Mountain.  General 
Granger's  forces  still  hold  the  mountain.  We  are  throwing  up 
earth-works.  Some  cannonadiug  during  the  afternoon,  but  it  did 
not  move  our  lines.  ...  I  feel  very  sad  and  lonely. 

"  On  Battle-line,  near  the  Foot  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Wednesday, 
September  23,  1863. — Up,  and  under  arms  at  3.30  A.  M.  All  quiet 
during  the  night.  Seven  of  the  company  on  picket.  Slight  skir- 
mishing along  the  lines  during  the  day.  Late  in  the  evening  the 
rebels  made  an  effort  to  drive  General  Granger's  men  from  Look- 
out Mountain,  but  were  driven  back  with  slight  loss.  The  3d 
Tennessee  (Union)  lost  one  man  killed.  James  T.  Maudlin  came 
up.  He  had  no  reliable  word  concerning  any  of  the  missing  ones 
of  Company  C.  General  Rosecrans  visited  the  lines  after  night. 
He  gave  orders  for  Granger's  men  to  come  down  off  the  mountain 
and  report  to  Colonel  Lai  bold. 

"  On  Skirmish-line,  near  Chattanooga,  Thursday,  September  24, 
1868. — Up  at  3.30  A.  M.,  and  under  arms.  Some  firing  at  day- 
light. In  the  afternoon  the  enemy  advanced  on  left;  were  re- 


228  DEMONSTRATIONS  BY  ENEMY. 

pulsed.  On  the  skirmish  or  picket  line  every  five  hours.  A  vig- 
ilant watch  for  the  enemy  was  kept  up. 

"  On  Skirmish-line,  Friday,  September  25,  1863.  —  We  were  up 
again  at  3.30  this  morning.  Skirmishing  still  going  on.  An  attempt 
made  by  the  enemy  to  break  our  lines.  He  fails.  At  11.30  A.  M. 
enemy. placed  a  battery  on  the  nose  of  Lookout"  Mountain;  at  six 
P.  M.  commenced  shelling  the  old  tannery.  We  were  on  the 
skirmish-line.  No  damage  done.  It  was  a  grand  and  terrific  sight. 
We  expect  an  attack,  either  to-night,  or  early  in  the  morning. 

"  On  Skirmish-line,  Saturday,  September  26,  1863. — Had  a  cold 
time  of  it  last  night.  Lieutenant  Turpin  was  on  the  line  with  me. 
There  was  occasional  firing  during  the  night.  We  were  relieved 
at  nine  o'clock  this  morning.  We  went  back  to  the  two  lines  of 
rifle-pits,  leaving  the  front  line  to  be  held  by  reliefs  of  fifty  men 
from  each  regiment  in  the  brigade,  every  other  day.  But  little 
firing  on  the  Hues  ;  no  damage  done  to  us." 

We  have  copied  from  Captain  Kyger's  diary  all  the 
entries  from  September  19th  to  26th,  both  inclusive. 
We  omitted  nothing.  Some  of  these  entries,  and  parts 
of  some  others,  have  reference  to  the  casualties  in  Com- 
pany C.  Aside  from  being  the  color-company,  there  is 
no  reason  for  supposing  that  Company  C  suffered  more 
than  the  other  companies.  Company  C's  "  ups  and 
downs,"  mishaps  and  losses,  were  perhaps  a  fair  average 
for  the  regiment.  We  have  no  criticism  to  offer,  and 
no  corrections  to  make,  of  the  statements  contained  in 
the  several  entries  quoted.  They  are  correct,  as  far  as 
they  go,  or  intended  so  to  be.  A  mistake  as  to  direc- 
tion, or  distance,  may  have  been  made;  the  liability  to 
err  in  these  respects  being  increased  when  movements 
were  hurriedly  made,  through  woods,  over  hills  and  hol- 
lows, early  and  late  —  confusion  and  excitement  all 
around. 

For  the  two  dates,  Saturday  and  Sunday,  September 
19th  and*  20th,  we  add  a  few  statements,  which  may 
prove  interesting.  Who  of  the  73d,  that  was  present, 


REVIEW  OF  CHICKAMAUGA.  229 

will  forget  the  severe  experience,  "  double-quicking " 
along  the  dusty  road,  at  3.30  P.  M.,  Saturday,  the  19th, 
with  the  rail-fences  on  each  side,  and  the  woods  on  one 
side  of  the  road,  on  fire  ?  The  sunshine  was  warm 
enough;  but  the  fire  made  it  hot,  hotter,  HOTTEST.'  We 
were  thoroughly  heated,  and  the  sweat  and  dust  made 
us  not  only  feel  but  look  uncomfortable.  On  our 
own  account  we  would  have  preferred  to  feel  and  ap- 
pear better,  if  not  for  the  fact  that  many  Confeder- 
ates had  come  all  the  way  from  the  Potomac  to  meet 
us.  This  experience,  doubtless,  made  us  more  suscep- 
tible, or  sensitive,  to  the  very  cool  night-air  only  a  few 
hours  later.  At  night  our  position  was  such,  our  prox- 
imity to  the  enemy  was  so  close,  as  to  forbid  fires,  and 
the  supply  of  blankets  was  limited,  all  equipage  not 
absolutely  needed  having  been  stored  and  left  in  the 
rear.  The  chilly  night-air,  and  the  lack  of  protection 
against  it,  was  not  all  that  contributed  to  our  discom- 
fort. Under  the  circumstances,  sleep  was  out  of  the 
question ;  we  were  located  in  the  midst  of  thick  woods, 
which  made  the  darkness  almost  impenetrable.  To  our 
front,  the  cutting  and  slashing,  the  felling  and  chopping 
of  timber  —  whether  being  engaged  in  by  the  enemy,  or 
by  our  own  men  —  made  a  terrible  racket,  and  was 
"  ominous,"  besides,  of  serious  work  for  the  next  day. 
As  suggested  in  the  entry  by  Captain  Kyger  in  his 
diary,  we  were  going  to  have  the  combined  forces  of 
Longstreet,  Johnson,  and  Bragg  to  contend  with  ;  and 
he  might  have  included  the  force  of  Bolivar  Buck- 
ner,  too,  which  had  lately  been  called  from  East  Ten- 
nessee to.  swell  the  aggregate  of  Bragg's  army.  The 
rank  and  file  of  our  regiment,  as  well  as  of  most  others, 
had  apprehended  this  serious  fact;  and  the  effect  was 


230  MEMORABLE  SA  TURD  A  Y  XIGHT. 

too  great,  in  awakening  our  fears,  and  producing  dis- 
trust, to  be  counteracted  by  a  report  that  Burnside 
would  arrive  with  a  large  force  next  day.  There  were 
several  circumstances — fads,  rather — which  tended  to 
create  uneasiness  and  discomfort  among  our  troops  on 
that  memorable  Saturday  night.  Our  weariness,  the 
noise  and  confusion  in  front,  and  the  ordinary,  ever-pres- 
ent misgiving,  or  apprehension,  on  the  eve  of  battle,  was 
not  all  that  troubled  us;  but  in  addition  to  these  were 
the  well-grounded  suspicion  and  conscious  belief  that 
we  were  encompassed,  or  about  to  be,  by  vastly  superior 
numbers.  Then  there  was  no  comfort  to  be  had  at 
division  head-quarters,  which  were  established  for  the 
night  just  in  the  rear  of  the  73d.  Some  extra  guards 
being  required  there,  Company  C  was  called  on  to  furnish 
them.  Corporal  Hasty — later  color-bearer  and  sergeant — 
and  two  or  three  men  were  sent  to  division  head-quar- 
ters to  do  duty  for  the  night.  After  reporting,  and 
ascertaining  what  the  duty  was,  getting  his  men  posted 
and  thoroughly  instructed  in  their  duties,  our  corporal 
began  to  watch  for  "  straws,"  or  listen  rather,  for  it 
was  very  dark.  There  was  light  in  Sheridan's  tent, 
near  the  entrance  to  which  our  corporal  stationed  him- 
self. From  what  he  could  see  and  hear,  the  corporal 
could  not  fail  to  determine  that  a  feeling  of  anxiety, 
extra  seriousness,  pervaded  the  head-quarters,  from  the 
general  down  to  orderlies.  It  was  not  long  until  McCook, 
our  corps  commander,  arrived  at  Sheridan's  tent.  He 
was  accompanied  by  two,  three,  or  more  general  officers 
from  the  center  and  left  of  the  army ;  Crittenden  and 
Van  Cleve,  anyhow,  from  the  left  wing,  were  there,  so 
the  corporal  was  told.  The  center  was  represented. 
The  meeting  may  have  been  previously  appointed,  but 


SIGNS  A  LL  UNFA  VORA  BLE.  231 

it  is  thought  not  to  have  been;  that  it  was  rather  sug- 
gested, or  necessitated,  by  an  emergency,  not  altogether 
unexpected,  but  ascertained,  late  in  the  day,  to  be  fully 
developed,  and  upon  us  —  an  emergency,  or  predicament, 
which  had  to  be  met,  provided  against,  in  some  way, 
not  to  be  escaped  from,  or  avoided.  An  animated  and 
somewhat  protracted  consultation  was  held.  In  the 
course  of  the  discussion,  General  Sheridan  grew  still 
more  restless  and  uneasy.  He  was  greatly  displeased 
at  the  rough  usage  his  3d  (Bradley's)  Brigade  had 
received  late  in  the  evening ;  and  from  the  situation,  as 
disclosed  at  the  interview,  or  from  the  necessities  of  the 
case,  or  from  the  plan  of  operation  as  agreed  on,  he 
was  apprehensive  that  there  would  be  more  of  the  same 
kind  of  usage  for  his  two  remaining  brigades  the  next 
morning. 

The  interview  came  to  an  end  at  a  late  hour,  and 
participants  in  it,  except  Sheridan,  departed;  then  the 
latter  paced  back  and  forth  in  his  tent,  and  bewailed 
the  situation,  past,  present  and  prospective,  especially 
prospective,  using  language  more  emphatic  than  elegant, 
as  General  Sheridan  only  could  do.  Three  or  four  times 
during  the  night  the  corporal  returned  to  the  company, 
and  reported  the  "  signs  of  the  times,"  which  seemed 
to  indicate  that  we  were  going  to  have  our  hands  full  — 
have  all  we  could  possibly  attend  to,  if  not  more.  Burn- 
side's  force  could  not  be  counted  on;  was  not  expected; 
had  not  been  sent  for.  Granger's  Reserve  Corps  was 
all  that  could  be  reckoned  as  being  within  reach  of  the 
battle-field,  and  able  to  re-enforce  Rosecrans's  army  in 
the  expected  hard  struggle. 

We  were  aware  of  the  fact  that  our  regiment  and 
brigade  had  not  been  engaged  during  the  day.  We 


232  A  NIGHT  OF  RESTLESS  ANXIETY. 

were  also  aware  that  most,  if  not  all,  the  other  brigades 
had  been  engaged.  So  we  could  feel  pretty  thoroughly 
assured  that  we  should  have  a  chance  to  "see  the  ele- 
phant" in  the  morning.  Having  much  to  discourage, 
and  but  little,  if  anything,  is  encourage  us,  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  Saturday  night,  September  19,  1863,  WHS  a 
gloomy  and  foreboding  one  to  us.  Notwithstanding  all 
these  untoward  signs,  the  men  of  the  regiment  and 
brigade  were  reconciled  to  the  inevitable,  prepared  to 
take  things  as  they  came,  trusting  for  a  favorable  out- 
come in  some  way.  According  to  one  authority — 
Turchin  on  Chickamauga — there  was  but  one  brigade  on 
the  field  that  was  not  engaged  on  Saturday.  Our  brig- 
ade was  not  engaged  that  day,  though  it  was  under 
fire,  and  did  quite  a  "good  deal"  of  moving  from  point 
to  point,  on  quick  or  double-quick  lime,  as  already 
shown  from  Captain  Kyger's  diary.  We  will  allow  this 
to  suffice,  as  additional  to  what  we  have  copied  from 
said  diary,  touching  the  movements  of  the  regiment  on 
the  19th,  and  its  experience  during  the  night  of  that  date. 
We  pass,  now.  to  a  brief  review  of  the  events  of 
Sunday,  September  20th.  The  sleeplessnesss  and  anxi- 
ety of  the  night  had  told  severely  on  our  residue  of 
strength — what  we  had  left  after  racing  and  chasing 
around  on  Saturday.  We  felt  more  like  seeking  some 
secluded  nook,  where  we  could  give  ourselves  over  un- 
reservedly to  slumber,  than  like  keeping  wary,  and 
holding  ourselves  ready  to  obey  orders  instantly,  with- 
out drawing  rations.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Gen- 
eral Lytle,  commanding  General  Sheridan's  1st  Brigade, 
persisted,  took  time  to  draw  rations  for  his  men,  not- 
withstanding orders  to  move  immediately,  and  in  con- 
sequence of  doing  so,  was  reprimanded,  or  talked  to 


THE  10.30  A.  M.  ORDER.  233 

pretty  straight,  by  his  superior  officer,  Sheridan,  only 
a  few  hours  before  yielding  his  life  on  the  battle-field. 
In  (he  position  reached  by  marching  the  three  or 
more  miles,  we  remained  until  after  eleven  o'clock,  some 
of  us,  in  the  meantime,  snatching  some  sleep,  as  the 
battle  hud  opened  on  our  left  and  center,  as  already  in- 
dicated. A  number  of  us,  who  were  on  the  point  of 
entering  the  Southern  Confederacy  as  prisoners  of  war, 
had  better  employed  part  of  this  time  in  filling  our 
haversacks,  could  we  have  done  so,  rather  than  in  sleep- 
ing or  trying  to  sleep.  At  11.15  A.  M.  the  2d  Brigade 
was  called  to  support  the  center,  in  obedience  to  the 
order  we  copy  below  : 

"  SEPTEMBER  20,  1863,  10.30  A.  M. 

"  The  general  commanding  directs  you  to  send  two  brigades  of 
General  Sheridan's  division  at  once,  with  all  possible  dispatch,  to 
support  General  Thomas,  and  send  the  3d  Brigade  as  soon  as  the 
lines  can  be  drawn  sufficiently.  March  them  as  rapidly  as  you 
can,  without  exhausting  the  men.  Report  in  person  to  these  head- 
quarters as  soon  as  your  orders  are  given  in  regard  to  Sheridan's 
movement.  Have  you  any  news  from  Colonel  Post? 

"J.  A..  GARFIELD." 

It  does  not  appear  above  to  whom  the  order  was 
addressed;  but,  bearing  the  marks  of  having  been  issued 
at  department  head-quarters  at  10.30  A.  M.,  this,  no 
doubt,  was  the  order  that  caused  the  2d  Brigade  of 
Sheridan's  division  to  move  at  11.15  A.  M.,  to  support 
the  center.  At  any  rate,  we  got  into  the  fray,  and  a 
few  of  us  got  out,  but  by  different  routes. 

The  loss  to  the  division,  as  stated  in  General  Sheri- 
dan's report,  was,  in  commissioned  officers,  96;  in  men, 
1,491.  This  included  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing, 
making  the  loss  about  forty  per  cent,  the  strength  of 
the  division  Saturday  morning  being  four  thousand 
bayonets.  The  loss  to  the  73d,  as  given  by  Turchin, 


234  LA IBOLD'8  BRIGADE. 

in  his  book  on  Chickamauga,  was  92  —  2  officers  and  11 
men  killed  ;  4  officers  and  53  men  wounded,  and  3  offi- 
cers and  19  men  missing.  If  from  sixteen  to  nineteen 
of  these  fifty-three  men,  reported  wounded  above,  died 
on  September  20,  1863,  or  the  night  of  that  date,  it 
would  account  for  the  difference  between  eleven — above 
reported  killed — and  the  number  shown  as  killed,  or 
dying  of  wounds  on  that  date,  in  the  revised  reports  of 
the  adjutant-general  of  Illinois.  It  is  quite  certain 
that  at  least  one  man  of  the  nineteen  men  above  re- 
ported missing  was  killed. 

General  W.  P.  Carlin,  in  his  article  on  Chickamauga, 
published  in  the  National  Tribune,  a  few  years  ago, 
makes  mention  of  the  movement  and  fate  our  brigade 
made  and  met,  on  Sunday,  September  20,  1863,  as 
follows : 

"There  was  a  hand-to-hand  struggle  for  a  few  minutes;  then 
more  volleys  of  musketry  on  the  right  and  left  flanks,  as  well  as 
in  front.  Then  Laibold's  brigade,  of  Sheridan's  division,  came  in 
close  order  by  divisions.  That  was  a  fatal  error  to  this  brigade. 
I  saw  the  poor  fellows  struggling  to  deploy  into  line,  in  order  to 
use  their  arms  against  the  enemy.  But  the  enemy  was  too  close 
at  hand  to  permit  Laibold  to  deploy.  A  volley  was  poured  into 
Laibold's  compact,  almost  solid,  mass  of  men,  at  only  a  few  steps 
distant.  The  loss  of  men  was  very  great.  The  organization  was 
broken,  and  the  brigade  melted  away  and  went  to  the  rear.  The 
enemy  had  completely  flanked  me  on  the  right;  and  flanked 
Laibold  when  he  came  to  my  relief.  If  his  brigade  had  advanced 
in  line,  instead  of  in  close  column  of  divisions,  it  would  have  been 
a  most  opportune  arrival,  and  might  have  exercised  a  decisive  in- 
fluence on  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  for  if  the  enemy  had  been 
repulsed  at  that  point,  I  do  not  believe  that  he  could  have  driven 
Kosecrans  from  any  important  position,  though  he  had  already 
penetrated  our  line  near  the  center.  But  that  this  line  could  have 
been  restored  by  putting  in  one  or  two  other  divisions,  I  have  no 
doubt ;  that  is,  if  there  had  been  some  one  there  to  give  the  orders 
necessary." 


THE  ENEMY  FIND  THE  GAP.  235 

The  foregoing  is  a  fair  statement.  It  corroborates 
our  own  impressions,  long  held,  that  the  quick  double- 
quick  movements  of  the  regiment  and  brigade  made  on 
our  mind  at  the  time.  The  circumstances  were  not  all 
favorable  for  getting  correct  impressions  of  just  how 
things  came  about;  but  we  will  venture  to  assert  that 
the  73d  was  in  the  front  line ;  that  the  brigade  was 
next  to  the  right  of  Davis's  division,  of  which  General 
Carlin  commanded  one  brigade. 

That  was  about  the  relative  position  of  the  com- 
mands mentioned  at  noon  of  Sunday,  just  before  the  rout 
on  the  right  wing.  It  appears  from  General  Carlin's  state- 
ment that  the  center  had  been  penetrated.  This  must 
have  occurred  at  or  before  the  10.30  A.  M.  order,  signed 
J.  A.  Garfield,  was  sent,  calling  for  two  brigades  of 
Sheridan's  division  to  support  Thomas.  Admitting  that 
the  order  referred  to  was  genuine,  and  received  on  time, 
the  question  arises :  Why  did  the  brigades  called  for 
fail  to  go?  Probably  the  order  was  countermanded, 
owing  to  the  sudden  and  perilous  emergency,  which 
enveloped  the  right  wing,  or  threatened  it,  about  the 
time  the  order  came  to  hand.  It  appears  that  the 
enemy  had  succeeded  in  turning  our  left  early  in  the 
day;  and  later  succeeded  in  penetrating  our  center; 
the  result  of  this  was  the  weakening  of  our  right, 
taking  General  Wood's  division  —  leaving  a  gap,  which 
the  enemy  found  —  to  re-enforce  our  left  wing;  then 
calling  on  Sheridan  to  support  the  center.  At  about 
the  same  time  the  enemy,  having  turned  our  left  and 
penetrated  our  center,  transferred' troops  from  his  right 
to  his  left  wing ;  so,  while  our  right  wing  was  being  short- 
ened and  weakened,  the  enemy's  left  wing,  confronting 
our  right,  was  being  lengthened  and  strengthened.  This 


236  THE  COLORS  SAVED. 

is  the  true  explanation  of  the  disaster  which  befell 
Sheridan's  and  Davis's  divisions.  Our  right  wing  was 
borne  down  and  crushed  by  the  weight  of  superior 

numbers. 

In  falling  back  in  disorder  and  confusion  to  the  rear, 

the  regiment  lost  heavily.  Colonel  Jaquess  had  two 
horses  shot  under  him.  And,  as  already  noted,  Major 
Smith  and  Adjutant  Winget  were  killed.  Some  other 
casualties  are  mentioned,  but  not  all ;  nor  are  all  indi- 
cated in  the  revised  reports  of  the  adjutant-general  of 
the  State  of  Illinois.  Amid  all  the  hurry,  excitement, 
and  confusion,  our  regimental  colors  were  not  suffered 
to  trail  in  the  dust,  though  changing  hands  some  four 
or  five  times  after  the  color-bearer,  Lewis,  was  shot 
down,  and  before  Captain  Kyger  grasped  them  and  bore 
them  from  the  field. 

We  here  copy  what  we  wrote  many  years  ago,  de- 
scribing just  how  we  came  to  be  captured.  Incident- 
ally, the  matter  of  the  care  of  our  regimental  colors  is 
also  mentioned : 

"A  halt  was  made  and  hasty  preparations  completed  to  receive 
the  onset  of  the  advancing  enemy.  At  the  first  volley  from  the 
enemy,  the  color-bearer  of  the  regiment  was  shot  down.  Our  com- 
pany being  the  color-company,  and  our  position  being  immediately  in 
the  rear  of  the  colors,  Jehu  Lewis,  the  color-bearer,  when  wounded, 
fell  backward  against  us,  and  we  eased  him  to  the  ground,  at  the  same 
time  seizing  the  colors,  preventing  them  falling.  On  noticing  what 
had  taken  place,  our  captain,  T.  D.  Kyger,  directed  that  we  deliver 
the  colors  to  one  of  the  color-guard,  and  that  we  carry  Lewis  a  few 
yards  to  the  rear  to  a  ditch,  in  which  was  a  little  water.  Handing 
the  colors  to  a  color-guard,  but  retaining  our  gun,  and  being  assisted 
by  Sergeant  Brown,  we  started  to  execute  the  captain's  directions. 
In  other  words,  we  started  for  the  ditch,  carrying  Lewis  with  us. 
Before  we  reached  the  ditch,  however,  our  line,  after  firing  not 
more  than  two  or  three  rounds,  gave  way,  and  retreated  in  con- 
fusion before  the  enemy,  in  overwhelming  force,  in  front  and  on 


SOME  DETAILS.  237 

the  flank  southward.  At  about  the  time  we  arrived  at  the  ditch 
with  the  color-bearer,  we  were  overtaken  by  the  regiment  in  full 
retreat.  In  passing  us,  a  comrade,  Claib.  Madden  by  name,  re- 
lieved us  of  our  gun  (taking  Brown's  gun  also),  and  we  endeav- 
ored to  save  Lewis,  as  well  as  ourselves,  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  rebels.  We  struggled  along  with  our  burden  as  well  as  we 
could,  the  regiment  in  the  meantime  disappearing  over  the  crest  of 
a  ridge  we  had  passed  over  in  our  advance,  a  few  minutes  before. 
Under  what  proved  to  be  a  misapprehension,  that  our  line  would 
re-form  and  make  a  stand  behind  the  crest  of  this  ridge,  we  deter- 
mined to  carry  our  wounded  comrade  to  the  top  of  it.  The  enemy, 
too,  in  the  meantime  gaming  on  us ;  but,  we  being  unarmed 
and  assisting  a  wounded  man,  no  shots  were  sent  after  us ; 
neither  were  we  ordered  to  halt  or  surrender.  At  this  stage  of  the 
game,  however,  few  shots  were  being  fired  either  way,  as  our  men 
were  scampering  for  dear  life,  and  the  rebels  were  equally  persistent 
in  their  pursuit,  determined  to  make  the  most  of  their  opportunity. 
On  arriving  at  the  crest  of  the  ridge  mentioned,  and  looking  west- 
ward and  north-westward,  we  could  see  the  blue-coats  fleeing  as 
fast  as  their  limbs  could  carry  them.  Looking  to  our  left,  or  south- 
westward,  and  behind  us,  we  could  see  a  mighty  advancing  host 
of  the  enemy.  We  were  not  long  in  determining  to  leave  Lewis, 
which  we  did  immediately,  and  fled  at  a  break-neck  speed  in  a 
north-westward  and  northern  direction.  The  rebels  kept  gaining 
on  us,  and  sweeping  over  the  ridge  we  had  just  left,  they  soou 
threatened  us  with  the  bayonet,  as  well  as  bullets,  unless  we  sur- 
rendered. Being  nearly  out  of  breath,  and  taking  in  the  situation 
by  casting  a  glance  behind,  we  yielded  to  the  inevitable,  and 
surrendered.  We  at  once  unbuckled  our  belts,  and  loosening  our 
cartridge-boxes,  dropped  them  in  the  weeds,  and  shifted  our  posi- 
tion, going  right  back  to  the  spot  where  we  had  left  Sergeant 
Lewis,  a  few  moments  before.  On  reaching  him,  we  found  he  had 
been  deprived  of  his  shoes  and,  perhaps,  another  article  or  two. 
We  were  proposing  to  assist  Sergeant  Lewis  to  some  point  where 
his  immediate  wants  could  be  supplied ;  but  an  officer  coming  up, 
ordered  otherwise,  and  Lewis  remained  at  the  point  where  we  left 
him  two  nights,  as  we  have  learned  from  him  since.  Sergeant 
Brown  and  myself  bid  our  wounded  friend  and  company  comrade 
good-bye,  wished  him  good  fortune,  and  received  from  him  the 
same  in  turn,  and  then,  in  obedience  to  orders,  passed  on  to  the 
rear." 


238  IN  ENEMY'S  REAR. 

The  writer,  having  become  a  prisoner  in  the  enemy's 
hands,  at  the  same  time  and  place,  and  under  precisely 
the  same  circumstances  as  did  Sergeant  Brown,  gives 
herewith  a  brief  description  of  affairs  as  they  appeared 
within  the  Confederate  lines :  In  going  from  the  point 
where  we  surrendered  to  the  rear  of  the  rebel  forces,  we 
passed  through  five  lines  of  two  ranks  each  of  Confederate 
soldiers.  So  we  did  not  indulge  in.  any  hopes  that  we 
should  be  rescued  by  our  forces  before  night.  On 
arriving  at  a  point  a  little  beyond  that  to  which  we 
had  penetrated  on  the  charge,  we  were  relieved  of  that 
peculiar  sense  of  lonesomeness  and  estrangement 
caused  by  our  supposition  that  we  were  the  only  per- 
sons "  taken  in."  We  found  several  hundred  of  General 
Sheridan's  division  that  had  been  collected  in  one  place. 

While  passing  to  the  rear  of  the  several  lines  of  bat- 
tle, Brown  and  myself,  though  very  much  discouraged, 
tried  not  to  appear  so.  We  were  plied  with  many 
questions,  but  answered  but  few  of  them,  and  we 
answered  those  either  by  asking  questions  or  by 
evasion. 

Although  a  feeling  of  exultation,  and  an  assurance 
of  victory  seemed  to  pervade  the  rebel  soldiery,  rank 
and  file,  yet  there  also  seemed  to  be  some  apprehen- 
sion lest,  if  they  crowded  the  "Yankees"  too  closely, 
they  mignt  run  into  some  trap,  or  a  "  hornet's  nest." 
While  some  caution  was  being  exercised,  still,  every- 
thing, infantry,  artillery,  and  stragglers,  was  being 
hurried  forward  for  the  purpose  of  "  pushing  old  Rosey 
into  the  Tennessee  River  before  night."  Line  officers 
were  screaming,  and  wildly  flourishing  their  swords; 
field  officers  were  galloping  over  the  field  giving  orders; 
limping  and  growling  stragglers  were  being  appealed  to 


HARMLESS  WARFARE.  239 

and  urged  to  do  their  duty;  the  artillery  went  rattling 
and  bouncing  over  the  ground,  hurrying  frontward, 
and,  taken  altogether,  it  looked  very  much  to  us  as  if 
the  enemy  was  doing  his  utmost  to  make  the  very  most 
of  this  "last  chance  "to  thoroughly  beat  the  "Yankee' 
army. 

The  rope  lines  and  traces  in  which  the  rebel  artillery 
horses  were  rigged,  and  also  the  sorghum-stalks  stick- 
ing in  the  haversacks  of  Bragg's  men,  were,  to  us, 
especially  noticeable.  The  yelling,  the  delivering  and  re- 
peating of  orders  in  loud  tones;  the  pompous  flourishing 
of  swords;  the  brag  and  bluff,  the  swagger  and  blow, 
away  back  there  in  the  rear,  while  doubtless  intended 
to  overawe,  intimidate,  and  discourage  the  "Yankee" 
prisoners,  lacked  very  much  of  producing  that  effect.  The 
prisoners  very  well  knew  that  kind  of  warfare  was  harm- 
less, and  that  most  of  those,  if  not  all,  indulging  in  it 
would  not  fight  "to  hurtr 

We  will  close  that  part  of  this  chapter  which  treats 
of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  by  copying  what  is  said 
of  the  part  played  in  it  by  Sheridan's  division  by  one 
or  two  authorities  on  war  matters : 

CHICKAMAUGA. 

AN  INTERESTING  CONTRIBUTION  TO  WAR  HISTORY  BY  MR.  DANA. 

Publication  of  the  Cipher  Dispatches  sent  to  Secretary  Stanton  from 
the  Battle-field— How  the  Awful  Conflict  was  Fought,  ' 
and   Movements  of  the  Troops. 

Special  Dispatch  to  the  Globe-Democrat. 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  January  27, 1889. 

A  most  interesting  contribution  to  war  history  is  made  to-day 
in  the  publication  by  Mr.  Dana  of  .the  cipher  dispatches  he  sent 
to  Secretary  Stauton  from  the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga.  These 
dispatches  have  an  important  bearing  upon  the  controversy  which 
has  been  going  on  so  many  years  as  to  what  estimate  should  be 


240  DANA'S  CIPHER  DISPA  TCHES. 

put  upon  that  battle.  Secretary  Stanton  did  not  put  these  dis- 
patches on  file.  They  were  furnished,  however,  by  Mr.  Dana,  at 
a  comparatively  recent  date,  and  the  originals  are  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  War  Department.  The  editor  of  the  Sun,  in  pub- 
lishing these  dispatches,  says : 

"A  good  deal  of  discussion  has  been  going  on  lately  concerning 
this  memorable  engagement.  The  statement  which  General  Sheri- 
dan included  in  his  Memoirs  furnished  the  occasion  for  opening 
the  dispute,  and  it  has  been  continued  with  special  ability  and  in- 
terest by  General  Francis  A.  Walker,  of  Boston,  and  General 
H.  V.  Boynton,  of  Washington.  We  shall  not  review  the  points 
which  they  have  adduced,  nor  shall  we  in  any  manner  try  to 
correct  any  presentation  of  the  facts  which  has  been  brought  for- 
ward. Our  purpose  is  simply  to  add  to  the  documents  which  bear 
upon  the  history  of  this  battle  a  brief  series  of  official  telegrams 
written  from  hour  to  hour  on  the  very  field,  and  representing  the 
impressions  and  excitements  belonging  to  the  varying  phases  of 
the  conflict.  They  have  not  yet  been  published  in  the  series  of 
war  reports  which  Congress  has  authorized,  though,  of  course, 
they  will  appear  in  their  proper  order  along  with  the  other  papers 
of  the  Chattanooga  campaign. 

SEPTEMBER,  1863, 

"Orawfish  Spring,  September  19,  1863,  10.30  A.  M.—  Battle 
opened  at  nine  this  morning  on  our  left.  Bragg  in  command  of 
the  rebels.  His  force  not  yet  ascertained  ;  engagement  not  yet 
general.  His  effort  is  to  push  into  Chattanooga.  In  anticipation 
of  this  movement,  Thomas  marched  last  night  to  our  left.  Crit- 
tenden  pushed  up  behind  him,  and  McCook  has  been  brought 
here  as  reserve.  As  I  write  the  enemy  are  making  a  diversion  on 
our  right,  where  Negley  was  left  to  hold  the  fords.  Negley  is 
supported  by  Sheridan.  An  orderly  of  Bragg's,  just  captured, 
says  there  are  reports  in  the  rebel  army  of  Longstreet's  arrival, 
but  he  does  not  know  they  are  true.  Rosecrans  has  everything 
ready  to  grind  up  Bragg's  flank. 

".?  P.  M. — Everything  is  going  well,  but  the  full  proportions 
of  the  conflict  are  not  yet  developed.  The  engagement  is  now 
between  here  and  Rossville,  where  Thomas  has  his  head-quarters. 

"Widow  Glenn's,  September  19,  2.80  P.  M.— The  fight  con- 
tinues to  rage;  enemy  repulsed  on  the  left  by  Thomas  has  sud- 
denly fallen  on  the  right  of  our  line  of  battle,  held  by  Van  Cleve. 
Musketry  and  artillery  there  fierce  and  obstinate.  Crittenden, 


OPERATIONS  ON  SEPTEMBER  19.  241 

with  remainder  of  his  corps,  is  just  going  in.  Negley's  and 
Sheridan's  division  and  cavalry  alone  remain  unengaged,  and 
Sheridan  is  ordered  here,  leaving  Negley  to  hold  the  fords  beyond 
Crawfish  Spring.  The  mass  of* the  cavalry  guards  the  gaps  be- 
yond it.  Thomas  loses  pretty  heavily  in  men,  also  one  battery  of 
guns.  Decisive  victory  seems  assured  to  us." 

"3  P.  M, — The  enemy  forced  back  by  Crittenden  on  the  right 
has  just  massed  his  artillery  against  Davis  on  our  center.  His 
attack  there  is  the  most  furious  of  the  day.  He  seems  giving  way. 

DRIVING  THE  REBELS. 

"3.20  P.  M. — Thomas  reports  that  he  is  driving  the  rebels, 
and  will  force  them  into  the  Chickamauga  to-night.  It  is  evident 
here  their  Hue  is  falling  back.  The  battle  is  fought  in  a  thick 
forest,  and  is  invisible  to  outsiders.  The  line  is  two  miles  long. 

"4  P-  M. — Negley,  being  nearer  than  Sheridan,  has  come  up 
in  his  stead.  Negley's  first  brigade  is  just  getting  in.  Every- 
thing is  prosperous.  Sheridan  is  coming  up.  The  cavalry  has 
been  brought  to  Crawfish  Springs  to  be  ready  for  use. 

"4-30  P.  M. — I  do  not  yet  dare  to  say  our  victory  is  complete, 
but  it  seems*  certain.  The  enemy  is  silenced  on  nearly  the  whole 
line.  Longstreet  is  here.  It  is  said  that  Governor  Brown  has 
taken  part  in  the  battle. 

"5.20  P.  M. — Firing  has  ceased.  Reports  are  coming  in. 
Enemy  holds  his  ground  in  many  places.  We  have  suffered  se- 
verely. Reynolds  reported  killed.  It  now  appears  to  be  an  unde- 
cided contest,  but  later  reports  will  enable  us  to  understand  more 
clearly. 

"7.30  P.  M. — Immediately  after  my  last  dispatch  Negley 
opened  on  the  enemy  with  two  fresh  brigades,  and  drove  him 
back  half  a  mile.  The  firing  did  not  cease  till  an  hour  after  dark, 
the  feeble  light  of  the  moon  favoring  the  combatants.  This  gives 
us  decidedly  the  advantage  in  respect  of  ground.  The  result  of 
the  battle  is  that  the  enemy  is  defeated  in  his  attempt  to  turn 
and  crush  our  left  flank  and  regain  possession  of  Chattanooga. 
His  attempt  was  furious  and  obstinate;  his  repulse  was  bloody 
and  maintained  till  the  end.  If  he  does  not  retreat,  Rosecrans 
will  renew  the  fight  at  daylight.  His  dispositions  are  now  being 
made.  There  are  here  two  brigades  and  one  regiment  which 
have  not  been  engaged  at  all,  and  two  brigades  which  have  been 
engaged  but  little.  At  Rossville  are  eight  thousand  men  of  the 

16 


242  IT  WAS  REALLY  BAD. 

reserve  corps  not  engaged  at  all.     We   have  lost  no  prominent 
officers.     Reynolds  is  safe.     Weather  cool,  favorable  to  wounded. 

PRISONER*  TAKEN. 

"8  P.  M. — We  have  taken  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  pris- 
oners, including  men  from  thirty  different  regiments.  We  have 
captured  ten  guns  and  lost  seven.  I  can  not  learn  that  we  have 
lost  any  considerable  number  of  prisoners.  The  battle-field  is 
three  miles  north  from  Crawfish  Spring  and  about  eight  south  of 
Rossville.  It  is  mainly  in  a  forest  four  miles  square. 

"11  P.  M.—rDr.  Perrin,  medical  director  of  this  department, 
estimates  the  number  of  our  wounded  as  not  exceeding  two 
thousand. 

"Chattanooga,  September  20,4  -P.  M. — My  report  to-day  is  of 
deplorable  importance.  Chickamauga  is  as  fatal  a  name  in  our 
history  as  Bull  Run.  The  battle  began  late  this  morning.  The 
first  Cannon  was  fired  at  nine,  but  no  considerable  firing  till  ten. 
Previous  to  ten  Rosecrans  rode  the  whole  length  of  the  line. 
All  seemed  promising  except  columns  of  dust  visible  within  the 
rebel  lines,  moving  north,  and  a  report  from  our  right  that  the 
enemy  had  been  felling  timber  there  during  the  night.  Soon 
after  the  fighting  commenced,  Thomas,  Avho  had  the  left,  began  to 
call  for  re-enforcements.  Then,  about  twelve,  came  the  word  that 
he  had  been  forced  to  retire  to  his  second  line.  Re-enforcements 
were  sent  him,  and  McCook's  whole  corps,  which  was  on  the  right 
and  as  a  reserve  in  the  center,  was  ordered  to  his  assistance. 
T.  J.  Wood,  of  Crittenden's  corps,  and  Van  Cleve,  who  held  the 
front  in  the  center,  were  also  ordered  to  the  left,  where  the  fury 
of  the  cannonade  showed  that  an  immense  rebel  force  was  massed. 
Their  places  were  to  be  filled  by  Davis  and  Sheridan,  of  McCook's 
corps,  but  hardly  had  these  divisions  moved  to  take  their  places 
in  the  line  when  the  rebel  fire,  which  had  slacked  on  our  left 
ever  since  it  was  turned  and  driven  back  about  three-quarters  of 
an  hour  previously,  suddenly  burst  out  in  enormous  volumes  upon 
our  center. 

CANNON  AND  MUSKETRY. 

"Never  in  any  battle  that  I  have  witnessed  was  there  such  a 
mass  of  cannon  and  musketry.  This  lasted  some  twenty  minutes, 
and  then  Van  Cleve,  on  Thomas's  right,  was  seen  to  give  way,  but 
in  tolerable  order,  soon  after  which  the  lines  of  Davis  and  Sheri- 
dan broke  in  disorder,  borne  down  by  heavy  columns  of  the  enemy. 


AT07'  SO  BAD  AS  REPRESENTED.  243 

These  columns  are  said  to  have  consisted  of  Folk's  entire  corps. 
They  came  through  with  resistless  impulse,  composed  of  brigades 
formed  in  divisions.  Before  them  our  soldiers  turned  and  fled. 
It  was  a  wholesale  panic;  vain  were  all  attempts  to  rally  them. 
They  retreated  directly  across  two  lines  of  considerable  ridges 
running  parallel  to  our  line  of  battle,  and  then  most  of  them 
made  their  way  to  Missionary  Ridge,  and  are  now  coming  here  by 
the  Chattanooga  Valley  Road.  Our  wagon-trains  have  mostly 
got  here  already,  and  the  road  is  full  of  a  disordered  gang  of 
fugitives.  McCook,  with  the  right  of  his  corps  and  Wilder's 
mounted  infantry,  attempted  to  recover  the  day,  but  it  was  use- 
less. Davis  anol  Sheridan  are  said  to  be  coming  off,  at  the  head  of 
a  couple  of  regiments,  in  order,  and  Wilder's  brigade  marches  out 
unbroken.  Thomas,  too,  is  reported  as  coming  down  the  Rossville 
Road  with  an  organized  command,  but  all  the  rest  is  confusion. 
All  our  wounded  are  left  behind,  some  six  thousand  in  number. 
We  have  lost  heavily  to-day  in  killed.  The  total  of  our  killed, 
wounded,  and  prisoners  can  hardly  be  less  than  twenty  thousand, 
and  may  be  much  more.  How  much  artillery  we  lose  I  can  not 
say,  nor  do  I  know  what  officers  have  been  lost.  Lytle  is  said  to 
be  killed.  Rosecrans  escaped  by  the  Rossville  Road.  Enemy 
not  yet  arrived  before  Chattanooga.  Preparations  making  to  re- 
sist his  entrance  for  a  time. 

TOO  DARK  A  VIEW. 

"  8  P.  M. — I  am  happy  to  report  that  my  dispatch  of  four 
P.  M.  to-day  proves  to  have  given  too  dark  a  view  of  our  disaster. 
Having  been  myself  swept  bodily  off  the  battle-field  by  the  panic- 
struck  rabble  into  which  the  divisions  of  Davis  and  Sheridan  were 
temporarily  converted,  my  own  impressions  were  naturally  colored  by 
the  aspect  of  that  part  of  the  field.  It  appears,  however,  that  only 
those  two  divisions  were  actually  routed,  and  that  Thomas,  with  the 
remainder  of  the  army,  still  holds  his  part  in  the  field.  Besides 
the  two  divisions  of  Davis  and  Sheridan,  those  of  Negley  and 
Van  Cleve  were  thrown  into  confusion,  but  were  soon  rallied,  and 
held  their  places,  the  first  on  the  left  and  the  second  on  the  right 
of  Thomas's  fighting  column.  In  addition  to  this,  Davis  and 
Sheridan  have  succeeded  in  rallying  some  eight  or  ten  thousand 
of  the  fugitives,  and  are  also  reported  as  having  joined  Thomas. 
His  command,  consisting,  after  all  losses,  of  at  least  thirty  thou- 
sand men,  has  still  further  been  strengthened  by  the  addition  of 
that  portion  of  the  reserve  lately  stationed  at  Rossville  under 


244  HARD  ON  McCOOK. 

Granger.  It  has  changed  its  front  from  the  nearly  north  and 
south  line  of  this  morning,  and  faces  the  enemy  in  an  east  and 
west  line.  It  will  at  once  fall  back  to  the  strongest  line  of  de- 
fense for  the  purpose  of  defeating  the  enemy's  design  of  regaining 
Chattanooga  and  the  Tennessee.  The  latest  report  from  Thomas 
is  that  he  was  driving  back  the  advance  of  the  rebels.  In  addi- 
tion to  these  forces  we  have  the  cavalry  and  mounted  infantry, 
not  less  than  ten  thousand  in  number,  who  are  perfectly  intact; 
and  with  this  army  it  is  not  difficult  to  make  good  our  lines  until 
re-enforcements  can  arrive.  The  cavalry,  at  our  last  advices, 
had  their  head-quarters  at  Crawfish  Spring,  where  they  will  per- 
haps be  able  to  protect  our  main  hospital  until  th,e  wounded  can 
be  brought  here  by  the  Chattanooga  Valley  Road,  which  still  is 
free  from  rebels. 

NUMBER  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

"The  number  of  the  enemy  yesterday  and  to-day  I  estimate 
at  not  less  than  seventy  thousand.  He  was  able  to  touch  and 
threaten  our  lines  at  all  points,  and  still  form  the  tremendous  col- 
umns whose  onset  drove  Thomas  back  and  dissolved  Sheridan  and 
Davis  iu  panic.  I  learn  from  General  Rosecrans,  who  himself  took 
part  in  the  effort  previous  to  the  first  stampede  of  Sheridan's  division, 
that  thegeneral  charged  the  advancing  columnsof  the  enemy  iu  flank. 
The  charge  was  too  spasmodic  to  be  effectual,  and  our  men  became 
involved  iu  the  rushing  mass  and  did  not  break  it.  Rosecrans 
has  telegraphed  Burnside  to  hurry  forward  his  re-enforcements. 
The  advance  of  his  cavalry  is  reported  as  having  reached  Cleveland 
yesterday  morning.  Some  gentlemen  of  Rosecrans's  staff  say 
Chickamauga  is  not  very  much  worse  than  was  Murfreesborough. 
I  can  testify  to  the  conspicuous  and  steady  gallantry  of  Rosecrans 
on  the  field.  He  made  all  possible  efforts  to  rally  the  broken 
columns,  nor  do  J  see  that  there  was  any  fault  in  his  order  for  the 
disposition  of  the  forces.  The  disaster  could  probably  have  been 
avoided  but  for  the  blunder  of  McCook  in  posting  his  corps  so  as 
to  leave  a  gap  in  the  line  of  battle. 

GARFIELD  AND  THOMAS. 

"September  21,  2  P.  M. — Garfield,  chief  of  staff,  becoming 
separated  from  Rosecrans  in  the  rout  of  our  right  wing  yesterday, 
made  his  way  to  the  left  and  spent  the  afternoon  and  night  with 
General  Thomas.  He  arrived  here  before  noon  to-day,  having 
witnessed  the  sequel  of  the  battle  in  that  part  of  the  field. 


THE  "ROCK  OF  CUICKAAfAUGA."  245 

Thomas,  finding  himself  cut  off  from  Rosccrans  and  the  right,  at 
once  brought  his  seven  divisions  into  position  for  independent 
fighting,  both  his  right  and  left,  his  line  assuming  the  form  of  a 
horseshoe,  posted  along  the  slope  and  crest  of  a  partly  wooded 
ridge.  He  was  soon  joined  by  Granger,  from  Rossville,  with  a 
brigade  of  McCook's  and  the  division  of  Steedman ;  and  with  these 
forces  firmly  maintained,  the  fight  continued  till  after  dark.  Our 
troops  were  as  immovable  as  the  rocks  they  stood  on.  The  enemy 
hurled  against  them  repeatedly  the  dense  columns  which  had 
routed  Davis  and  Sheridan  in  the  morning,  but  every  onset  was 
repulsed  with  dreadful  slaughter.  Falling  first  on  one  and  then 
on  another  point  of  our  line  for  hours,  the  rebels  vainly  sought  to 
break  it.  Thomas  seemed  to  have  filled  every  soldier  with  his 
own  unconquerable  firmness;  and  Granger,  his  hat  torn  by  bullets, 
raged  like  a  lion  wherever  the  combat  was  hottest.  Every  di- 
vision commander  bore  himself  gloriously,  and  among  brigade 
commanders,  Turchin,  Hazen,  and  Harker  especially  distinguished 
themselves.  Turchin  charged  through  the  rebel  lines  with  the 
bayonet,  and,  becoming  surrounded,  forced  his  way  back  again. 
Harker,  who  had  two  horses  shot  under  him  on  the  19th,  forming 
his  men  in  four  lines,  made  them  lie  down  till  the  enemy  were 
close  upon  him,  when  they  rose  and  delivered  their  fire  with  such 
effect  that  the  assaulting  columns  fell  back  in  confusion,  leaving 
the  ground  covered  with  the  fallen. 

AT  NIGHT-FALL. 

"  When  night  fell,  the  body  of  heroes  stood  on  the  same  ground 
they  had  occupied  in  the  morning,  their  spirit  unbroken,  but  their 
numbers  greatly  diminished.  Their  losses  are  not  yet  ascertained. 
Van  Cleve  had  this  morning  one  thousand  two  hundred  men  in 
the  ranks,  but  this  number  will  probably  be  doubled  by  evening 
in  stragglers.  Neither  he  nor  Sheridan  nor  Davis  fought  with 
Thomas.  The  divisions  of  Wood,  Johnson,  Brannan,  Palmer, 
Reynolds,  and  Baird,  which  never  broke  at  all,  have  lost  very 
severely.  We  hear  unofficially  from  Brannau  that  but  about  two 
thousand  effective  men  remain  in  his  division.  Steedman  lost  one- 
third  of  his  men.  Thomas  retired  to  Rossville  after  the  battle. 
Dispositions  have  been  made  to  resist  the  enemy's  approach  on  that 
line ;  but  if  Ewell  be  ready  there,  Rosecrans  \vill  have  to  retreat 
beyond  the  Tennessee.  Thomas  telegraphed  this  morning  that 
the  troops  are  in  high  spirits.  He  brought  off  all  his  wounded. 


246  FORTIFYING  CHATTANOOGA. 

Of  those  at  Crawfish  Spring,  our  main  field  hospital,  nearly  all  have 
been  brought  away.  It  now  seems  probable  that  not  more  than 
one  thousand  of  our  wounded  are  in  the  enemy's  hands,  and  Rose- 
crans  has  sent  a  flag  to  recover  them.  The  number  of  prisoners 
taken  by  the  enemy  is  still  uncertain.  It  will  hardly  surpass  three 
thousand,  besides  the  wounded.  In  artillery  our  loss  is  probably 
forty  pieces.  Many  were  left  because  all  of  their  horses  had  been 
killed.  Of  rebel  prisoners  we  have  sent  thirteen  hundred  to 
Nashville. 

AT  CHATTANOOGA. 

:  "  Chattanooga,  September  22,  3  P.  M. — The  whole  army  with- 
drew into  this  place  last  night  without  difficulty,  leaving  only 
necessary  outposts  and  parties  of  observation.  The  troops  arrived 
here  about  midnight,  in  wonderful  spirits,  considering  their  excess- 
ive, fatigues  and  heavy  losses.  They  have  been  working  all  day, 
improvising  rifle-pits.  The  line  of  defense  is  about  three  miles 
long,  crossing  the  Peninsula  some  two  miles  from  its  extremity. 
It  includes  two  redoubts  erected  by  the  rebels,  and  is  pretty 
strong,  though  much  weakened  by  a  blunder  made  by  somebody 
in  pushing  McCook's  wing  half  a  mile  forward  of  the  line  designed 
by  Chief  Engineer  Morton.  This  can  not  be  remedied  to-day ;  but, 
if  possible,  the  mistake  will  be  repaired  to-night.  McCook  holds 
the  right ;  that  noble  old  hero,  Thomas,  the  center,  the  weakest 
part  of  the  line,  and  Crittenden  the  left.  The  enemy  have  been  ap- 
proaching all  the  morning  on  three  columns,  resisted  by  our  advanced 
parties,  but  the  artillery  firing  has  now  drawn  very  near,  and  a 
battle  may  be  fought  before  dark.  Rosecrans  estimates  our  effect- 
ives at  thirty  thousand,  besides  cavalry ;  but  I  fear  our  numbers 
are  hardly  so  great  as  that.  There  are  provisions  here  for  fifteen 
days.  The  mass  of  our  cavalry,  under  Mitchell,  has  been  sent 
across  the  river  to  guard  the  road  to  Bridgeport  via  Jasper,  and 
to  strengthen  Wilder,  who  is  watching  the  fords  above  here. 
Mitchell  will  there  find  forage  for  his  horses,  of  which  there  is 
none  here.  The  only  cavalry  remaining  on  this  side  are  Minty's 
brigade,  in  front  toward  Rossville  and  Missionary  Ridge,  and 
Watkins's  brigade,  left  behind  by  Mitchell,  and  now  making  its 
way  over  Lookout  Mountain.  How  large  a  force  the  enemy 
brings  here  you  know  as  well  as  we.  He  was  awfully  slaughtered 
on  Sunday,  but  certainly  outnumbers  this  army,  even  if  he  has 
received  no  re-enforcements.  Our  losses  on  that  awful  day  are 
still  uncertain.  Four  thousand  wounded  have  alreadv  been  sent 


"AMERICAN  CONFLICT."  247 

hence  to  Bridgeport.  General  John  A.  King,  commanding  the 
brigade  of  regulars,  went  into  action  with  sixteen  hundred  and 
brought  out  only  four  hundred  and  fifty.  He  lost  two  battalions, 
taken  prisoners.  General  Baird,  who  commanded  Rousseau's 
division,  estimates  his  loss  in  prisoners  at  two  thousand,  though 
his  line  never  flinched.  This  looks  anxiously  for  re-enforcements. 
No  signs  of  the  approach  of  Burnside." 

We  have  copied  the  cipher  dispatches  entire,  as  found 
in  the  St.  Louis  Daily  Globe-Democrat,  of  date  January 
28,  1889.  These  dispatches  certainly  show  that  their 
author  was  on  the  battle-field  of  Chickamauga ;  he  must 
have  been  there  or  thereabouts.  The  true  state  of 
affairs  is  very  nearly  made  to  appear.  However,  there 
is  liability  to  overstate,  overdraw  the  picture,  or  antic- 
ipate or  expect  too  much,  when  taking  observations 
amid  the  excitement  of  battle,  no  matter  which  way 
things  are  going.  If  matters  are  progressing  fairly 
well,  it  makes  one  hopeful  for  still  better  and  greater 
results;  or  if  going  wrong  or  disastrously,  it  leads  to 
the  conclusion  that  all  is  or  will  be  lost. 

From  Vol.  II,  page  418  and  following  pages,  of 
Greeley's  "American  Conflict,"  we  make  selection  of 
these  passages  in  which  mention  of  Sheridan's  division 
appears  in  the  description  of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  : 

"Hood,  holding  the  rebel  left,  having  cannonaded  in  the 
morning  with  no  advantage,  threw  in,  at  three  P.  M.,  two  of  his 
divisions — his  own,  under  McLaw,  and  Bushrod  Johnson's — attack- 
ing Jeff  C.  Davis's  division  of  McCook's  corps,  pushing  it  back 
from  the  road  and  capturing  a  battery ;  but  Davis  maintained  a 
firm  front  against  superior  numbers  till  near  sunset,  when  Bradley's 
biigade  of  Sheridan's  division  came  to  his  aid,  and  he  charged  the 
enemy  in  turn,  recapturing  the  battery  (8th  Indiana)  that  he  had 
lost,  taking  quite  a  number  of  prisoners  and  driving  the  enemy 
back  across  the  road  (though  Trigg's  brigade,  of  Preston's  division, 
came  to  his  aid),  and  closing  the  day  with  decided  advantage  to 
our  arms." 


248  STRENGTH  OF  THE  ARMIES. 

This  is  the  only  mention  made  by  Mr.  Greeley  of 
Sheridan's  division  in  connection  with  the  operations 
of  Saturday,  September  19th,  and  this  mention,  and 
properly  so,  is  to  the  credit  of  Bradley's  brigade,  as  it 
alone,  of  Sheridan's  division,  was  seriously  engaged  on 
that  day. 

We  copy  still  more  to  show  Mr.  Greeley's  estimate — 
and  it  is  a  very  fair  estimate — of  the  strength  of  the  re- 
spective armies,  wherein  it  appears  that  he  differs  from 
Turchin  as  to  the  number  of  brigades  of  the  Union 
army  that  were  not  engaged  on  Saturday,  the  latter 
making  it  only  one  not  engaged.  Still  referring  to  the 
events  of  the  19th,  Mr.  Greeley  says : 

"Superficially  regarded,  the  net  result  of  that  day's  combat 
was  favorable.  Our  army  had  lost  no  ground  for  which  it  had 
contended,  and  claimed  a  net  gain  of  three  guns.  Our  losses  in 
men  had  doubtless  been  less  than  those  of  the  enemy.  And  as 
we  were  standing  on  the  defensive  we  might  fairly  claim  the  re- 
sult as  a  success.  But  the  truth  was  otherwise.  Our  soldiers 
were  clearly  outnumbered,  and  now  they  felt  it.  Every  brigade 
but  two  of  our  army  had  been  under  fire — most  of  them  hotly  en- 
gaged— while  the  enemy  had  several  yet  in  reserve.  We  had  no 
re-enforcements  at  hand  and  could  expect  none ;  while  Hindman's 
division  (three  brigades),  and  McLaw's  (two  brigades  of  veterans 
fresh  from  Virginia)  came  up  during  the  night  and  were  posted 
just  where  experience  had  proved  that  they  were  most  needed. 
And  besides,  Longstreet  himself  came  up  and  took  command  of 
their  right  wing,  and  he  was  worth  at  least  a  brigade.  The  best 
estimate  that  can  be  formed  of  their  entire  force  on  this  bloody 
field,  makes  it  seventy  thousand,  which,  on  ground  affording  so 
little  advantage  to  the  defensive,  was  a  clear  overmatch  for  Rose- 
crans's  fifty-five  thousand.  And  though  the  profane  axiom  that 
'  God  is  on  the  side  of  the  strongest  battalions,'  is  not  always  and 
absolutely  true,  it  is  certain  that  as  between  two  armies  equally 
brave,  equally  disciplined,  and  equally  well  handled,  the  decid- 
eldy  larger — the  ground  affording  no  considerable  advantage  to 
the  defensive — must  generally  triumph." 


THE  RIGHT  WING  WRONG.  249 

The  description  of  the  situation  on  Saturday  night, 
and  of  the  changes  made  and  determined  on,  is  then 
given,  showing  the  strengthening  of  the  rebel  right 
wing,  preparatory  to  the  turning  of  our  left  wing;  show- 
ing the  shortening  and  weakening  of  our  right  wing,  to 
support  our  center  and  left,  and  showing  how  the  rebels 
seized  and  improved  the  opportunity  of  striking  and 
crushing  our  right  wing,  while  in  motion,  closing  down 
on  our  center.  The  description  proceeds  : 

"The  charge  was  decisive.  Davis,  by  McCook's  order,  was 
just  attempting  to  fill,  with  three  light  brigades,  the  gap  made  by 
Wood's  withdrawal,  when  Hood's  charging  column  poured  into  it, 
striking  Davis  on  the  right,  and  Brannan  on  the  left,  and  Sheri- 
dan, of  (Crittenden's)  McCook's  Corps,  farther  to  the  rear,  cutting 
off  five  brigades  from  the  rest  of  our  army,  and  pushing  them  to 
our  right  and  rear,  with  a  loss  of  forty  per  cent  of  their  numbers. 
In  short,  our  right  wing,  struck  heavily  in  flank  while  moving 
to  the  left,  was  crumbled  into  fragments,  and  sent  flying  in  impotent 
disorder  toward  Rossville  and  Chattanooga,  with  a  loss  of  thousands 
in  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners.  Rosecrans,  McCook,  and  many 
subordinate  commanders,  were  swept  along  in  the  wild  rush ;  Sheri- 
dan and  Davis  rallying  and  re-forming  the  wreck  of  their  divisions 
by  the  way,  and  halting  with  McCook  at  Rossville ;  while  Rose- 
crans— prevented  by  the  enemy  from  joining  Thomas — hastened  to 
Chattanooga,  there  to  make  all  possible  provision  for  holding  the 
place,  since  it  now  looked  as  though  our  whole  army  was  or  would 
be  routed,  and  that  desperate  effort  would  be  required  to  hold 
Chattanooga,  so  as  to  save,  what  might  be  left  of  it,  from  being 
captured,  or  driven  pell-mell  into  the  Tennessee.  But  matters, 
though  bad  enough,  were  not  so  bad  as  they  seemed  to  those  who 
had  shared  or  witnessed  the  rout  and  dispersion  of  our  right. 
Thomas  was  still  fighting  stoutly,  and  holding  his  own  on  our  left, 
when  not  long  after  noon  Captain  Kellogg,  who  had  been  sent  to 
hurry  Sheridan — then  expected  to  re-enforce  his  left — returned  with 
tidings  that  he  had  met  a  large  rebel  force  advancing  cautiously, 
with  skirmishers  thrown  out,  to  the  rear  of  Reyuolds's  position,  in 
our  center.  There  was  some  effort  made  to  believe  this  was  no  rebel 
force,  but  Sheridan — till  heavy  firing  on  Thomas's  right  and  rear — 
decidedly  negatived  that  presumption." 


250  AN  HISTORIC  DAY. 

The  account  continues,  and  shows  that  this  was  a 
rebel  force,  and  not  Sheridan's ;  and  then  details  the 
movements  made  to  stay  the  further  advance  of  the 
same.  The  several  successive  steps  and  stages  of  the 
crumbling  and  falling  back  of  the  right  wing,  and  the 
gathering  up  of  all  the  wrecks  and  fragments  of  brigades 
and  regiments,  and  concentrating  them  around,  or  in 
supporting  distance  of,  Thomas's  position,  are  described. 
The  movements  of  Barker's  brigade,  and  Wood's  divis- 
ion, and  the  massing  of  the  artillery  by  Captain  Gaw, 
and  the  withdrawal  of  the  divisions  of  Johnson,  Palmer, 
and  Reynolds  to  a  new  position,  are  then  given  in  de- 
tail. The  part  performed  by  the  Reserve  Corps,  com- 
manded by  General  Granger,  is  dwelt  on  by  Mr.  Gree- 
ley  at  some  length,  beginning  with  the  operations  of 
September  17th,  but  bestowing  more  attention  to  the 
work  accomplished  by  this  corps  on  the  20th;  in  this 
connection  creditable  mention  being  made  of  Whittaker's 
and  Dan.  McCook's  brigades;  also  of  Minty's  cavalry 
and  Steedman's  troops,  the  latter  forces  burning  Reed's 
bridge,  September  18th,  before  fulling  back.  On  the 
20th — at  three  P.M.,  or  later  —  Colonel  Mitchell's  and 
General  Whittaker's  brigades  rendered  timely  service 
in  an  emergency,  and  Steedman  especially  distinguished 
himself.  The  present  peril  being  passed,  and  the  rebels 
being  checked  and  driven  off,  there  was  a  lull  in  the 
fight,  a  pause  for  half  an  hour.  In  this  encounter  the 
loss  on  our  side  had  been  heavy,  but  that  of  the  enemy 
still  greater. 

This  quiet  pause  was  the  calm  before  a  storm,  which 
burst  in  all  its  fury  at  about  four  P.  M.  The  rebels 
had  formed  and  massed  themselves  for  a  desperate 
charge  on  the  entire  Federal  position.  Assault  after 


THE  HEAVY  LOSSES.  251 

assault  was  made  by  the  enemy,  by  all  but  u  mere  frac- 
tion of  his  army,  and  these  were  repelled  by  what  was 
left  of  our  army  until  sunset,  when  the  awful  combat 
ended,  and  soon  our  forces  began  withdrawing,  by  order 
of  General  Rosecrans,  to  Rossville,  where  the  remnant 
of  the  right  wing  had  already  arrived.  But  the  enemy 
failed  to  pursue;  he  was,  doubtless,  feeling  very  tired, 
if  not  sorely.  Bragg  excuses  his  failure  to  pursue  at 
once  in  these  words : 

"The  darkness  of  the  night,  and  the  density  of  the  forest,  ren- 
dered further  movements  uncertain  and  dangerous ;  and  the  army 
bivouacked  on  the  ground  it  had  so  gallantly  won." 

The  losses  of  the  Union  army  were  officially  re- 
turned as  follows  :  Infantry  and  artillery — killed,  1,644 ; 
wounded,  9,262;  missing,  4,945 ;  total,  15,841.  The 
c;ivalry  lost  in  various  combats  and  skirmishes,  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  about  500  men,  making  a  total 
loss  of  16,351  men.  Bragg  admitted  a  total  loss  of 
18,000.  Most,  or  all,  of  these  must  have  been  killed 
and  wounded,  as  Rosecrans  claims  the  capture  of  only 
2,003  rebels  in  the  engngement. 

"  General  B.  H.  Helm's  Kentucky  brigade  went  into  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga  1,763  strong,  and  came  out  432  strong,  Helm 
being  among  the  killed.  Bates's  brigade  lost  608  out  of  1,085 
men.  A  Mississippi  brigade  lost  781  men,  and  came  out  with  but 
two  regimental  officers  uninjured;  and  there  were  several  more  bri- 
gades in  the  Confederate  army  which  lost  fully  half  their  number." 

Taking  these  as  samples  of  the  rebel  losses,  even 
allowing  they  were  notably  great,  and  were  exceptions 
to  the  rule,  it  is  safe  to  estimate  Bragg's  losses  in  round 
numbers  at  twenty  thousand  men,  at  least  seventy-five 
per  cent  of  which  were  in  killed  and  wounded.  The 
total  of  Rosecrans's  losses,  including  killed,  wounded, 
captured,  and  missing,  could  not  have  counted  up  more 


252  SHERIDAN'S  MEMOIRS. 

than  twenty  thousand  men,  including  stragglers.  Of 
the  latter,  nearly  all  found  their  commands  in  the  course 
of  time,  as  did  also  many  of  the  captured. 

With  a  few  comments  on  Chickamauga,  taken  from 
the  first  volume  of  Sheridan's  Memoirs,  and  the  farewell 
order  of  Rosecrans,  which  we  give  in  full,  we  drop  this 
part  of  the  subject;  the  falling  back  to  Rossville,  and 
from  thence  to  Chattanooga,  together  with  other  minor 
events  before  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  being 
already  sufficiently  adverted  to. 

What  we  extract  from  General  Sheridan's  Memoirs, 
we  find  in  the  first  volume  thereof,  beginning  at  page  276  : 

"On  the  17th  I  remained  in  line  of  battle  all  day  and  night, 
in  front  of  McLamore's  Cove,  the  enemy  making  slight  demon- 
stration against  me  from  the  direction  of  Lafayette.  The  main 
body  of  the  army  having  moved  bodily  to  the  left  meanwhile,  I 
followed  it  on  the  18th,  encamping  at  Pond  Spring.  On  the  19th 
I  resumed  the  march  to  the  left,  and  went  into  line  of  battle  at 
Crawfish  Springs,  to  cover  our  right  and  rear.  Immediately  after 
forming  this  line,  I  again  became  isolated  by  the  general  move- 
ment to  the  left,  and  in  consequence  was  directed  to  advance  and 
hold  the  ford  of  Chickamauga  Creek,  at  Lee  and  Gordon's  mills, 
thus  coming  into  close  communication  with  the  balance  of  our 
forces.  I  moved  into  this  position  rapidly,  being  compelled, 
though,  first  to  drive  back  the  enemy's  cavalry  skirmishers,  who, 
having  crossed  to  the  west  side  of  the  creek,  annoyed  the  right 
flank  of  my  column  a  good  deal  while  en  route.  Upon  arrival  at 
Lee  and  Gordon's  mills,  J  found  the  ford  over  Chickamauga  Creek 
temporarily  uncovered  through  the  hurried  movement  of  Wood  to 
the  assistance  of  Davis's  division.  The  enemy  was  already  present 
in  small  force,  with  the  evident  intention  of  taking  permanent 
possession;  but  my  troops  at  once  actively  engaged  him,  and  re- 
covered the-  ford  with  some  slight  losses.  Scarcely  had  this  been 
done,  when  I  was  directed  to  assist  Crittendeu.  Leaving  Lytle's 
brigade  at  the  ford,  I  proceeded  with  Bradley's  and  Laibold's  to 
help  Crittenden,  whose  main  line  was  formed  to  the  east  of -the 
Chattanooga  and  Lafayette  road,  its  right  trending  toward  a  point 
on  Chickamauga  Creek,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  Lee  and 


MUCH  DERPESSION  PREVAILED.  253 

Gordon's  mills.  By  the  time  I  had  joined  Crittenden  with  my  two 
brigades,  Davis  had  been  worsted  in  an  attack  Rosecrans  had 
ordered  him  to  make  on  the  left  of  that  portion  of  the  enemy's 
line  which  was  located  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Chickamauga,  the 
repulse  being  so  severe  that  one  of  Davis's  batteries  had  to  be 
abandoned.  Bradley's  brigade  arrived  on  the  ground  first,  and 
was  hastily  formed  and  thrown  into  the  fight,  which,  up  to  this 
moment,  had  been  very  doubtful,  fortune  inclining  first  to  one 
side,  then  to  the  other.  Bradley's  brigade  went  in  with  steadiness, 
and,  charging  across  an  open  corn-field  that  lay  in  front  of  the 
Lafayette  road,  recovered  Davis's  guns,  and  forced  the  enemy  to 
retire.  Meanwhile  Laibold's  brigade  had  come  on  the  scene,  and 
forming  it  on  Bradley's  right,  I  found  myself,  at  the  end  of  the 
contest,  holding  the  ground  which  was  Davis's  original  position. 
It  was  an  ugly  fight,  and  my  loss  was  heavy,  including  Bradley 
wounded.  The  temporary  success  was  cheering,  and  when  Lytle's 
brigade  joined  me  a  little  later,  I  suggested  to  Crittenden  that  we 
attack;  but  investigation  showed  that  his  troops,  having  been  en- 
gaged all  day,  were  not  in  condition,  so  the  suggestion  could  not 
be  carried  out.  The  events  of  the  day  had  indicated  that  Bragg's 
main  ohject  was  to  turn  Rosecrans's  left;  it  was,  therefore,  still 
deemed  necessary  that  the  army  should  continue  its  flank  move- 
ment to  the  left;  so  orders  came  to  draw  my  troops  in  toward  the 
Widow  Glenn's  house.  By  strengthening  the  skirmis1!  line  and 
shifting  my  brigades  in  succession  from  right  to  left,  until  the 
point  designated  was  reached,  I  was  able  to  effect  the  withdrawal 
without  much  difficulty,  calling  in  my  skirmishers  after  the  main 
force  hnd  retired.  My  command  having  settled  down  for  the 
night  in  this  new  line,  I  rode  to  army  head-quarters  to  learn,  if 
possible,  the  expectations  for  the  morrow,  and  hear  the  result  of 
the  battle  in  General  Thomas's  front.  Nearly  all  the  superior 
officers  of  the  army  were  at  head-quarters,  and  it  struck  me  that 
much  depression  prevailed,  notwithstanding  the  facts  that  the 
enemyrs  attempts  during  the  day,  to  turn  our  left  flank,  and  also 
to  envelop  our  right,  had  been  unsuccessful.  It  was  now  positively 
known,  through  prisoners  and  otherwise,  that  Bragg  had  been  re- 
enforced  to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  him  materially  outnumber 
us;  consequently  there  was  much  apprehension  for  the  future.* 

*  It  was  after  this  visit  to  the  army  head-quarters  that  Sheridan's 
dissatisfaction  was  so  plainly  evinced  at  his  own,  as  hereinbefore  de- 
scribed. 


254  OPERA  TIONS  ON  SUNDA  Y. 

"  .  .  .  At  daylight  on  the  morniug  of  the  20th  a  dense 
fog  obscured  everything ;  consequently  both  .armies  were  passive, 
so  far  as  fighting  "was  concerned.  Rosecrans  took  advantage  of  the 
inaction  to  rearrange  his  right,  and  I  was  pulled  back  closer  to 
the  Widow  Glenn's  house  to  a  strong  position,  where  I  threw 
together  some  rails  and  logs  as  barricades,  but  I  was  disconnected 
from  the  troops  on  my  left  by  a  considerable  interval.  Here  I 
awaited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  but  he  did  not  disturb  me, 
although  about  nine  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  he  had  opened  on  our 
extreme  left  with  musketry  fire  and  a  heavy  cannonade.  Two 
hours  later  it  was  discovered  by  McCook  that  the  interval  between 
the  main  army  and  me  was  widening,  and  he  ordered  me  to  send 
Laibold's  brigade  to  occupy  a  portion  of  the  front  that  had  been 
covered  by  Negley's  division.  Before  getting  this  brigade  into 
place,  however,  two  small  brigades  of  Davis's  division  occupied 
the  ground,  and  I  directed  Laibold  to  form  in  column  of  regiments 
on  the  crest  of  a  low  ridge,  in  rear  of  Carliu's  brigade,  so  as  to 
prevent  Davis's  right  flank  from  being  turned.  The  enemy  was 
now  feeling  Davis  strongly,  and  I  was  about  sending  for  Lytle's 
and  Bradley's  brigades,  when  I  received  an  order  to  move  these 
rapidly  to  the  extreme  left  of  the  arm}',  to  the  assistance  of  Gen- 
eral Thomas.  I  rode  hastily  back  toward  their  position,  but  in 
the  meanwhile  they  had  been  notified  by  direct  orders  from  McCook, 
and  were  moving  out  at  a  double-quick  toward  the  Lafayette  road. 
By  this  time  the  enemy  had  assaulted  Davis  furiously  in  front  and 
flank  and  driven  him  from  his  line,  and  as  the  confused  mass  came 
back,  McCook  ordered  Laibold  to  charge  by  deploying  to  the  front. 
This  he  did  through  Davis's  broken  ranks,  but  failed  to  check  the 
enemy's  heavy  lines,  and  finally  Laibold's  brigrade  broke  also  and 
fell  to  the  rear.  My  remaining  troops,  headed  by  Lytle,  were 
now  passing  along  the  rear  of  the  ground  where  this  disaster  took 
place  —  in  column  on  the  road  —  en  route  to  Thomas,  and  as  the 
hundreds  of  fugitives  rushed  back,  McCook  directed  me  to  throw 
in  Lytle's  and  Bradley's  brigades.  This  was  hastily  done,  they 
being  formed  to  the  front  under  a  terrible  fire.  Scarcely  were 
they  aligned,  when  the  same  horde  of  Confederates  that  had  over- 
whelmed Davis  and  Laibold,  poured  in  upon  them  a  deadly  fire 
and  shivered  the  two  brigades  to  pieces.  We  succeeded  in  rally- 
ing them,  however,  and,  by  a  counter-attack,  regained  the  ridge 
that  Laibold  had  been  driven  from,  where  we  captured  the  colors 
of  the  Twenty-fourth  Alabama.  We  could  not  hold  the  ridge, 


BEHIND  THE  DRY  VALLEY  ROAD.  255 

though,  and  my  troops  were  driven  back  with  heavy  loss — includ- 
ing General  Lytle  killed — past  the  Widow  Glenn's  house,  and  till 
I  managed  to  establish  tliem  in  line  of  battle  on- the  range  of  low 
hills  behind  the  Dry  Valley  road.  During  these  occurrences, 
General  Rosecraus  passed  down  the  road  behind  my  line,  and  sent 
word  that  he  wished  to  see  me;  but  affairs  were  too  critical  to 
admit  of  my  going  to  him  at  once,  and  he  rode  on  to  Chattanooga. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  he  did  not  wait  till  I  could  join  him,  for 
the  delay  would  have  permitted  him  to  see  that  matters  were  not 
in  quite  such  bad  shape  as  he  supposed  ;  still,  there  is  no  disguis- 
ing the  fact  that  at  this  juncture  his  army  was  badly  crippled. 
Shortly  after  my  division  had  rallied  on  the  low  hills  already  de- 
scribed, I  discovered  that  the  enemy,  instead  of  attacking  me  in 
front,  was  wedging  in  between  my  division  and  the  balance  of  the 
army  —  in  short,  endeavoring  to  cut  me  off  from  Chattanooga. 
This  necessitated  another  retrograde  movement,  which  brought  me 
back  to  the  southern  face  of  Missionary  Ridge,  where  I  was  joined 
by  Carlin's  brigade  of  Davis's  division.  Still  thinking  I  could 
join  General  Thomas,  I  rode  some  distance  to  the  left  of  my  line 
to  look  for  a  way  out,  but  found  that  the  enemy  had  intervened 
so  far  as  to  isolate  me  effectually.  I  then  determined  to  march 
directly  to  Rossville,  and  from  there  effect  a  junction  with  Thomas 
by  the  Lafayette  road.  I  reached  Rossville  about  five  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  bringing  with  me  eight  guns,  forty-six  caissons,  and 
a  long  ammunition  train,  the  latter  having  been  found  in  a  state 
of  confusion  behind  the  Widow  Glenn's,  when  I  was  being  driven 
back  behind  the  Dry  Valley  road." 

Following  is  the  order  of  General  W.  S.  Rosecrans, 
issued  on  taking  leave  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
and  relinquishing  the  command  of  same  to  General 
George  H.  Thomas : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND,  ) 
"CHATTANOOGA,  TENN.,  October  19,  18C3.         } 
"The  general  commanding  announces  to  the  officers  and  sol- 
diers of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  that  he  leaves  them  under 
orders  from  the  President. 

"  Major-General  George  H.  Thomas,  in  compliance  with  orders, 
will  assume  the  command  of  this  army  and  department.  The 
chiefs  of  all  the  staff  departments  will  report  to  him. 


256 


ROSECRANS'S  FAREWELL. 


"In  taking  leave  of  you,  his  brothers  in  arms — officers  and  sol- 
diers— he  congratulates  you  that  your  new  commander  comes 
not  to  you  as  he  did,  a  stranger.  General  Thomas  has  been  identi- 
fied with  this  army  from  its  first  organisation.  He  has  led  you 
often  in  battle.  To  his  kuown  prudence,  dauntless  courage,  and 

true  patriotism,  you  may 
look  with  confidence  that, 
under  God,  he  will  lead  you 
to  victorty.  The  general 
commanding  doubts  not 
you  will  be  as  true  to  your- 
selves and  your  country  in 
the  future  as  you  have  been 
in  the  past. 

"To  the  division  and 
brigade  commanders  he 
tenders  his  cordial  thanks 
for  their  valuable  and 
hearty  co-operation  in  all 
that  he  has  undertaken. 
To  the  chiefs  of  the  staft 
departments  and  their 
subordinates,  whom  he  leaves  behind,  he  owes  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude, for  their  fidelity  and  untiring  devotion  to  duty. 

"  Companions  in  arms — officers  and  soldiers — farewell,  and  may 
God  bless  you  !  W.  S.  ROSECRANS,  Major-General." 

The  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  had 
the  utmost  confidence  in  the  skill,  ability,  and  patriot- 
ism of  General  W.  S.  Rosecrans,  and  were  deeply  at- 
tached to  him,  and  regretted  very  much  to  see  him 
leave  the  department,  but  as  he  had  to  go,  there  was 
no  other  general  whom  they  would  have  preferred  be- 
fore or  above  General  George  H.  Thomas  as  his  suc- 
cessor. 

We  find  it  almost  impossible  to  avoid  repetition  to 
some  extent,  and  also  the  statement  or  recital  of  events 
out  of  their  chronological  order,  owing  to  following 
data  and  written  memoranda  up  to  a  given  date,  and 


GENERAI,  W.  S.  ROSECRANS. 


AT  CHATTANOOGA.  257 

then  treating  on  the  occurrences  of  the  same  period  of 
time  in  a  general  way. 

The  regiment,  with  others,  as  we  have  seen,  found 
its  way  back  to  Rossville,  and  after  a  brief  stop  there, 
it  accompanied  the  division,  under  the  lead  of  its  heroic 
commander,  when  he  reported  to  General  Thomas  for 
orders.  At  that  particular  juncture,  all  that  the  division 
could  do  was  to  assist  in  covering  the  retirement  of 
Thomas's  troops  to  Rossville,  and  from  thence  to  Chat- 
tanooga, where  the  recuperation  and  strengthening  of 
the  forces  was  commenced,  and  for  some  days  continued 
until  near  the  middle  of  October,  when  a  more  satisfac- 
tory condition  of  affairs  was  brought  about. 

On  Sunday  morning,  October  llth,  at  four  o'clock, 
our  brigade  moved  to  the  outpost  picket-line.  The 
44th  and  73d  occupied  the  first  line  of  rifle-pits.  All 
quiet  during  the  day  and  the  weather  was  fine.  Six- 
teen men  was  all  that  Company  C  could  muster  for 
duty  on  this  date.  That  being  the  case,  it  is  fair  to 
presume  the  number  in  the  whole  regiment  present  for 
duty  was  below  two  hundred. 

The  73d  and  other  regiments  of  the  brigade  were  up 
and  under  arms  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  October 
12th.  There  was  no  attack,  and  no  disturbance.  During 
the  day  we  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  amuse  ourselves,  by 
lying  around  our  "  chebangs,"  and  talk  and  "joke." 
During  the  afternoon  Lieutenant  Turpin  and  Captain 
Kyger  went  to  the  picket-line  on  the  extreme  right,  where 
it  rested  on  the  river.  They  remained  there  only  a  short 
time,  having  made  no  discovery  nor  gained  any  informa- 
tion that  was  worth  recording.  They  then  went  toward 
the  left  of  the  line,  to  take  a  look  in  that  direction  and 
inquire  into  matters  of  possible  interest  to  us  all. 

17 


258       FAMILIAR  FACE  OF  A  MECHANICAL  GENIUS. 


They  kept  along  the  earth-works,  which  led  them  to 
Fort  Negley,  the  central  point  or  position  in  the  lines. 
The  fort  itself  was  a  high  earth-work,  occupying  a  very 
commanding  position  in  front  of  an  open  field,  or,  more 
properly  putting  it,  an  open  field  in  front  of  the  fort. 
Twelve  guns  were  mounted  in  the  fort,  and  places  were 
ready  to  receive  more.  On  completing  their  examina- 
tion of  Fort  Negley,  the  lieutenant  and  captain  went 

on  farther  to  the  left, 
passing  artillery,  locat- 
ed at  suitable  intervals 
and  in  seemingly  favor- 
able positions  for  doing 
execution  in  case  an 
opportunity  offered. 
Three  lines  of  heavy 
rifle-pits  were  in  the 
near  vicinity  of  the 
artillery.  They  went 
on  until  they  came  to 
the  track  of  the  Chat- 
tanooga and  Charleston 
Railroad.  Going  on  farther,  they  came  to  another 
high  knoll  on  which  was  another  formidable  earth- 
work— name  not  given.  In  front  of  this  earth-work 
were  several  pieces  of  artillery  behind  low  earth-works. 
Guns  of  heavy  caliber  were  to  be  placed  in  the  fort  to 
the  rear. 

"  After  leaving  there,  saw  a  still  higher  knob  to  our  left,  and 
feeling  anxious  not  to  return  until  we  saw  all,  we  started  for  it. 
Here  we  found  the  largest  and  most  commanding  fort  of  all,  which 
had  two  huge  siege-guns,  thirty-two-pounders,  mounted.  They 
have  such  position  as  to  command  the  entire  field  to  the  "nose" 
of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  will  be  able  to  throw  shells  over 


CAPTAIN  T.  D.  KYGER. 


SOME  RAIN— WINTER  QUARTERS  259 

Missionary  Ridge,  a  distance  of  two  miles.  To  the  left  of  this 
the  ground  sloped  gently  to  the  river,  near  which  were  two  huge 
rifle-pits,  to  be  used  for  defensive  purposes.  We  concluded  that 
we  had  seen  all,  and  returned  to  camp  pronouncing  the  works 
very  formidable.  We  had  traveled  about  three  miles,  and  were 
quite  tired  and  hungry  on  reaching  our  command.  Weather 
cool  and  wind  blowing. 

"  On  Picket  Duty  in  front  of  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Tuesday, 
October  13,  1863. — At  four  o'clock  this  morning  we  left  the  rifle- 
pits  amid  a  heavy  shower  of  rain.  We  relieved  the  2d  and  15th 
Missouri  at  the  old  tannery  and  foundry.  It  rained  the  entire 
day;  the  ground  was  flooded  with  water.  All  quiet.  The  rebels 
were  in  plain  view,  only  about  six  hundred  yards  distant,  on  their 
sentinel  line. 

"  On  Picket  Duty,  Wednesday,  October  14, 1863.— -It  is  still  rain- 
ing this  morning.  We — Company  C — went  on  duty  this  morn- 
ing at  six  o'clock.  Our  position  was  at  the  old  tannery ;  we  had 
eight  posts,  and,  fortunately,  all  were  sheltered.  We  had  a  nice 
time,  compared  to  the  time  had  by  those  who  had  to  stand  out  in 
the  rain.  No  incident  of  the  day,  except  the  rebels  came  down 
to  the  creek  on  opposite  side  for  water.  We  have  orders  not  to 
talk  across,  nor  to  exchange  papers  with  them. 

"  On  Outpost  Picket  in  front  of  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Thursday 
October  15,  1863. — Rained  all  night.  We  were  up  at  four  o'clock 
and  found  the  creek  and  river  coming  up.  The  rain  continued, 
making  the  day  a-  very  unpleasant  one.  We  kept  pretty  close 
to  our  tents.  We  have  a  report  that  Wilder  is  having  fair  success 
in  his  race  after  Forrest's  cavalry  in  our  rear. 

"  Chattanooga,  Friday,  October  16,  1863. — Still  raining  and 
very  gloomy.  Cleared  off  in  afternoon,  and  became  more  pleasant. 
Wrote  letters.  Corporal  Maudlin,  Thomas  Judd,  A.  Jones,  Geo. 
Hollingsworth,  and  A.  E.  Lewis,  and  a  like  detail  from  the  other 
companies  than  C,  came  back  from  a  forage  trip.  They  had  as 
hard  a  time  as  a  person  could  well  imagine.  All  quiet. 

"  Chattanooga,  Saturday,  October  17,  18C3. — Clear  this  morning 
and  very  pleasant.  Health  good.  Went  to  town.  Was  detailed 
to  take  charge  of  a  squad  from  the  brigade  to  work  on  Fort  Sher- 
idan. Went,  and  had  a  reasonably  nice  time.  A  mail  was 
received.  Excused  at  5.30  P.  M.,  and  returned  to  camp. 
Nothing  new.  Think  we  will  go  into  winter  quarters  here. 

"  Chattanooga,    Tennessee,  Sunday,   October  18,   1863. — Raining 


260          REORGANIZATION— CHANGE  OF  POSITION. 

again  this  morning,  and  has  been  all  the  after  part  of  the  night. 
Continued  raining  until  afternoon.  Orders  came  for  1st  and  2d 
Brigades  to  be  consolidated  and  form  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division, 
Fourth  Army  Corps.  Brigade  to  be  commanded  by  General 
Stead  man,  division  by  Major-General  Sheridan,  and  the  corps  by 
Major  General  Gordon  Granger.  Steadman  is  now  absent; 
Colonel  Sherman,  of  the  88th  Illinois,  commands  the  brigade. 
Wrote  during  the  day.  Walter  Scott  came  over  from  the  con- 
valescent camp.  He  reports  Sergeant  Lewis — color-bearer — get- 
ting along  well.  Loud  cheering  in  camp  over  the  news  from  the 
election  in  Ohio  ;  Vallandigham  is  said  to  be  seventy  thousand 
votes  behind  Brough.  News  good  from  Pennsylvania  and  Iowa. 

"  Chattanooga,  Monday,  October  19,  1863. — A  most  beautiful 
morning,  but  cool.  Had  a  walk  down  town  before  breakfast,  and 
after  breakfast  I  took  another  walk  to  the  summit  of  hill,  near  the 
river,  and  below  town.  Had  a  splendid  view  of  the  river  and  of 
the  mountains  beyond.  The  rebs  had  built  forts  of  earth  on  the 
most  commanding  points,  I  dug  a  piece  of  laurel-root  from  this 
point  to  make  a  ring  out  of,  to  save  as  a  relic.  After  noon  I  got 
a  pass,  and  Avent  over  to  the  general  field  hospital  with  W.  W. 
Scott.  Found  Sergeant  Lewis  quite  jovial,  and  doing  well ;  his 
wound  was  in  fairly  good  condition.  We  started  back  at  4.30 
P.  M.  On  arriving  I  found  the  brigade  had  changed  camp, 
moved  toward  the  left,  to  take  our  new  position  in  the  new  4th 
Army  Corps.  Maudlin  and  Suycott  were  left  to  guard  the  traps. 
I  remained  with  them.  We  made  a  cup  of  tea,  and  eat  our  hard 
bread  for  supper.  Nothing  new. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tuesday,  October  20,  1863. — Maudlin  and  myself 
staid  in  my  old  '  chebang,'  and  got  our  breakfast  this  morning. 
We  waited  until  ten  o'clock  for  the  teams  to  haul  our  traps  over. 
We  moved  to  the  left  of  Fort  Negley.  The  ground  was  rather 
low  in  the  new  location,  not  as  suitable  for  a  camp  as  the  place 
we  left.  Captains  Morgan  and  Cross,  and  Lieutenant  Bodman 
and  myself,  were  appointed  by  the  colonel  to  lay  off  the  camp- 
ground. All  quiet  in  our  front,  but  there  was  some  cannonading 
on  the  extreme  right.  General  Rosecrans  was  telegraphed  that 
his  assistance  was  needed  on  the  Potomac,  as  the  army  there  was 
being  driven  back.  '  Rosey '  started  at  five  o'clock  this  A.  M. 

"  Chattanooga,  Wednesday,  October  21,  1863. — Weather  warm, 
and  the  sky  clouded.  We  changed  our  position  to  a  better  place 
for  a  camp.  At  8.30  A.  M.  a  thunder  shower  came  up;  it  con- 


GENERAL  GRANT  CAME  TO  TOWN.  261 

tinued  to  rain  until  afternoon,  when  it  just  poured  down.  Did 
not  get  up  my  wooden  '  chebang ;'  worked  steady  as  I  could  be- 
tween showers.  Had  a  very  poor  place  to  sleep. 

"  Chattanooga,  Thursday,  October  22,  1863. — More  pleasant  this 
morning  and  has  the  appearance  of  settled  weather.  Up  early, 
and  at  work  on  'chebang;'  got  it  as  near  completed  as  I  could 
without  brick ;  it  is  seven  by  fourteen  feet ;  a  good  size.  Lieuten- 
ant Turpin  received  notice  of  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation  this 
evening.  I  regret  very  much  to  have  him  leave  the  regiment. 
Gloomy  weather  on  Friday,  October  23d,  No  report  of  interest. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  October  24,  1863. — Raining 
again.  All  quiet ;  no  changes.  Have  my  '  chebang '  about  com- 
plete, with  a  nice  chimney  in  it,  made  of  stone  and  brick. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Sunday,  October  25,  1863. — General 
Grant  came  to  town  last  evening.  He  is  to  take  command  of  this 
department.  Got  some  brick  to  make  chimneys  for  the  boys. 
All  quiet. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Monday,  October  23,  1863. — Weather 
pleasant  this  morning.  Was  mustered  as  captain  by  Captain 
Snyder  this  P.  M.  Arrangements  are  being  made  to  cross  the 
river  below  Lookout  Mountain,  and  also  to  run  the  rebs  off. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tuesday,  October  27,  1863. — All  quiet  along  our 
part  of  the  lines.  A  force  went  down  the  river  in  pontoon  boats 
to  drive  the  rebs  from  the  mountain  and  throw  a  pontoon  across 
about  eight  miles  below.  This  force  succeeded ;  it  drove  the 
enemy  three  miles.  The  casualties  I  did  not  learn.  The  artillery 
firing  I  could  plainly  hear.  We  had  orders  to  be  in  readiness  for 
an  attack,  provided  the  enemy  wished  to  make  a  feint,  or  dem- 
onstration, to  keep  us  here.  All  quiet  this  evening.  Still  on 
short  rations ;  not  over  one-fourth  rations,  at  most,  do  we  get. 
This  is  quite  hard,  but  it  can  not  be  helped,  until  the  railroad  or 
river  is  open.  We  hope  and  think  one  or  the  other  of  these 
means  of  relief  will  be  afforded  soon.  The  resignation  of  Lieuten- 
ant W.  R.  Lawrence  was  accepted  on  this  date.  Am  really  sorry 
to  see  him  leave  the  company,  and  such  is  the  feeling  of  a  major- 
ity of  the  boys.  All  calm.  Report  says  Sherman  is  now  in 
Rome.  Hope  it  is  so. 

"  Wednesday,  October  28,  1863. — Weather  quite  pleasant  this 
morning.  All  quiet  on  this  side  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  the 
advance  on  the  rebs  on  the  27th  was  all  that  we  could  wish  or 
expect. 


262  HALF  RATIONS. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Thursday,  October  29,  1863. — A  gloomy 
morning  ;  drizzling  rain.  Hard  tack  scarce ;  about  one  quarter 
rations  in  all ;  one  half  of  that  hard  tack.  Am  camp  officer  of 
the  day. 

"  Chattanooga,  Friday,  October  30,  1863. — Still  raining.  A 
steamboat  came  within  eight  miles  of  here,  from  Bridgeport,  Ala- 
bama, to-day.  We  anticipate  fuller  rations.  All  quiet.  Later 
there  was  some  firing  at  us  by  the  rebs  from  Lookout  Mountain, 
but  it  was  of  no  effect. 

"  Chattanooga,  Saturday,  October  31,  1863. — On  half  rations  yet, 
with  a  prospect  of  more  in  a  few  days. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Sunday,  November  1,  1S63. — On  picket 
to-day.  Had  charge  of  the  grand  reserve  at  point  where  the  resi- 
dence of  the  editor  of  the  Chattanooga  Rebel  used  to  stand. 
The  house  was  pulled  down  and  the  material  appropriated  to  make 
'chebangs'  and  chimneys  out  of,  for  the  soldiers.  Cool  north- 
west wind.  The  rebs  stand  picket  within  about  three  hundred 
yards  of  our  front  line. 

"  Chattanooga,  Monday,  November  2,  1863.  —  Quite  cool  this 
morning;  frost.  Relieved  at  eight  o'clock  A.M.,  and  returned  to 
camp. 

"  Gliattanooga,  Tennessee,  Tuesday,  November  3,  1863. — Lieuten- 
ant Lawrence  started  for  home  at  eight  o'clock.  Claib.  Mad- 
den and  myself  went  as  far  as  the  river,  and  seen  him  safely  on 
the  other  side,  at  9.15  A.  M.  Returned  to  camp;  wrote  during 
the  day.  Firing  continued  all  day  from  Lookout.  As  usual,  no 
harm  to  us  came  of  it. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Wednesday,  November  4,  1863. — All 
quiet.  Raining.  Still  on  short  rations. 

"  Thursday  and  Friday,  November  5  and  6,  1863. — No  changes 
or  incidents  to  note. 

"Same  for  Saturday,  November  7th. 

"  Sunday,  November  8th. — Sky  clear,  and  weather  pleasant.  Was 
detailed  as  brigade  officer  of  the  day ;  had  charge  of  Stations  One 
and  Two,  and  the  grand  reserve.  The  wind  rose,  and  the  weather 
became  quite  cool.  No  signs  of  an  advance  by  the  enemy. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Monday,  November  9,  1863. — Still  cold. 
Heavy  frost.  Returned  to  regiment  at  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  All  quiet. 

"  Tuesday,  November  10th,  and  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  llth 
and  12tii. — All  quiet,  with  the  exception  of  harmless  firing  from 
Lookout  Mountain. 


DESERTERS  EXECUTED.  263 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Friday,  November  13,  1863. — Weather 
warm  and  pleasant.  Our  brigade  was  called  to  witness  the  execu- 
tion of  two  soldiers  for  the  crime  of  desertion.  The  brigade  was 
all  in  readiness,  and  formed  three  sides  of  a  hollow  square,  along 
a  deep  fill  in  the  railroad ;  then  came  the  procession,  headed  by 
the  provost  marshal,  Captain  Carroll ;  following  came  twelve 
guards  ;  then  came  the  eight  soldiers  carrying  the  coffins  of  the 
unfortunate  men  on  their  shoulders;  then  following  behind  each 
coffin  was  the  man  whose  body  would  soon  be  placed  therein. 
They  moved  around  so  that  we  might  all  get  to  see  them,  the  rear 
guard  closing  up.  After  moving  to  the  center  of  the  square,  the 
coffins  were  set  down  on  the  ground,  each  man  sitting  on  his  coffin; 
the  squad  that  was  to  fire  the  volley  took  position  about  ten  paces 
to  the  front.  The  ministers  spent  a  few  moments  with  the  con- 
demned men,  placing  bandages  over  their  eyes,  and  then  at  the 
wave  of  a  white  handkerchief  the  volley  was  discharged,  and  each 
man  fell  off  his  coffin,  dead.  We  then  marched  by  them  to  camp, 
and  were  dismissed.  Still  there  were  occasional  shots  from  Look- 
out Mountain. 

"Saturday,  November  14,  1863. — Quite  pleasant  this  morning. 
Called  into  line  at  eleven  A.  M. ;  went  back  to  camp;  remained 
in  line  but  a  short  time. 

"Sunday,  November  15,  1863.  —  Cool  and  windy.  Went  on 
picket.  I  had  charge  of  grand  reserve  ;  Captain  Atwater,  of  the 
42d  Illinois,  was  along,  and  was  senior  captain. 

"Monday,  November  16,  1863.  —  Clear  in  the  morning,  but 
rained  before  night.  The  rebs  have  their  sentinels  quite  close — 
not  more  than  two  hundred  yards  from  us. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tuesday,  November  17,  1863'. — Raining  this  morn- 
ing, and  a  cold  north-west  wind.  Prospect  of  a  forward  move. 
Sherman's  forces  nearing  us,  on  opposite  side  of  river.  At  dusk 
there  was  a  detail  from  the  regiment  sent  out  to  relieve  the  pickets, 
that  they  might  come  in  and  get  ready  for  the  expected  movement. 
Colonel  Miller  was  out  with  me.  It  commenced  raining  at  nine 
P.  M.,  and  continued  raining  during  the  night;  a  perfect  sluice 
of  water  on  the  surface. 

"  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Wednesday,  November  18,  1863. — Rain- 
ing yet,  and  turning  colder  ;  wind  from  the  north-west.  Were 
relieved  at  eight  A.  M.,  and  returned  to  camp. 

"  Thursday,  November  19, 1863. — Forward  movement  postponed 
on  account  of  rains.  Rained  all  dav.  A  south-west  wind. 


264  LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN. 

11  Chattanooga,  November  20,  1863. — Clear.  Popping  away,  as 
usual,  from  Lookout.  No  incident. 

"Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  November  21,  1863. — All 
quiet.  Weather  pleasant.  No  changes  or  incidents  to  note. 

"  Sunday,  November  22, 1863. — Went  on  picket  at  same  place  we 
had  been  before.  The  rebel  pickets  seem  to  be  gradually  nearing  ours. 

"  Monday,  November  23,  1863. — Weather  pleasant;  not  a  cloud 
visible.  All  quiet  in  forenoon.  1.30  o'clock  P.  M.  the  long  roll 
sounded,  '  To  arms!'  All  to  our  left  marched  out  to  the  picket- 
lines;  our  brigade  followed.  Bands  playing,  flags  unfurled.  Soon 
after  we  took  position,  skirmishing  commenced  on  the  extreme  left. 
The  extreme  left  moved  around,  so  that  at  sunset  it  rested  at  the 
base  of  Mission  Ridge.  Three  hundred  Confederates  fell  prisoners, 
while  the  loss  on  our  side  in  the  skirmish  was  very  slight.  At  five 
o'clock  P.  M.  the  73d  moved  to  the  front  line,  and  remained  there 
until  after  dark,  when  orders  came  to  intrench.  At  nine  o'clock 
P.M.  we  had  good  works;  a  skirmish-line  to  our  front,  and  the 
rebels  not  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  away.  Occasion- 
ally there  were  shots  along  the  lines;  deserters  coming  in. 

"  In  the  Trenches  in  front  of  Chattanooga,  Tuesday,  November  24, 
1863. — At  four  o'clock  A.  M.  we  were  assigned  a  position  to  the 
left,  to  fill  a  space  caused  by  the  lengthening  of  the  lines.  All 
quiet  at  daylight  along  the  whole  line.  Raining,  and  cool.  At 
eight  A.M.,  Hooker  made  the  attack  on  the  enemy  on  Lookout 
Mountain,  with  infantry.  At  ten  o'clock  the  artillery  on  Moccasin 
Point,  and  below,  opened.  Terrific  and  grand  was  the  artillery 
duel,  as  witnessed  from  our  position.-  The  rebels  had  their  artillery 
high  up  on  the  mountain.  Such  a  roar  and  echoing  I  never  heard 
from  artillery  before.  There  was  also  a  continual  din  of  small 
arms.  A  heavy  cloud  hung  over  the  top  of  the  mountain,  hiding 
it  from  view,  and  rendering  useless  the  artillery  up  there.  The 
sounds  seemed  to  grow  louder  and  nearer  until  12.15  P.  M.,  when 
we  saw  the  rebels  coming  around  the  mountain,  retreating  on  quick 
time.  Very  soon  Hooker's  men  could  be  seen  following  up.  At 
this  sight,  a  yell  was  sent  up  all  along  our  lines.  The  rebs  were 
driven  beyond  the  house,  at  the  two-thirds  point  from  base  of 
mountain,  and  into  the  woods,  where  they  made  a  stubborn  resist- 
ance until  late  at  night.  Our  lines  remained  the  same  as  in  the 
morning,  having  had  nothing  to  do  but  witness  the  storming  of 
the  mountain.  The  firing  could  be  distinctly  heard  and  the  flashes 
seen  until  11.30  o'clock  P.  M. 


MISSIONAR  Y  RIDGE.  265 

"  In  tiie  DitcJies  in  front  of  Chattanooga,  Wednesday,  November  25, 
1863. — Up  at  four  A.  M.  All  quiet  on  the  lines  and  on  Lookout 
Mountain.  The  rebs  have  all  left  the  mountain.  Hooker  has 
moved  near  its  brow  on  east  side.  At  sunrise  the  rebels  were 
seen  moving  their  forces  to  our  left ;  they  moved  along  the  top  of 
Mission  Ridge.  8  o'clock  A.  M. — Pleasant,  not  a  cloud  to  be  seen. 
All  quiet  except  an  occasional  artillery  shot,  and  reply  by  our 
batteries.  General  Sherman's  forces  crossed  the  Tennessee  River 
about  four  miles  above  town,  and  at  8.30  this  morning  commenced 
skirmishing,  and  moving  gradually  on  the  rebel  right  and  press- 
ing them  from  their  line  of  works  at  the  foot  of  Missionary  Ridge. 
We  lay  in  our  old  position,  until  1.30  P.  M.,  when  skirmishers 
were  thrown  out  in  front  and  our  line  ordered  to  be  advanced  to 
the  rebel  rifle-pits.  This  was  done  without  the  firing  of  a  gun. 
During  the  forenoon  we  moved  from  our  right  to  the  support  of 
the  left;  deployed  all  to  our  left.  3  o'clock  P.  M. — Orders  came 
for  a  forward  move  at  the  firing  of  six  shots  from  cannon  on 
Orchard  Knob,  which  was  the  signal  for  the  whole  line  to  move 
forward.  We  moved  forward  promptly  on  double-quick  time. 
Our  division  had  to  charge  accross  a  sparsely  wooded  vale,  then 
into  an  open  lawn-covered  space  for  near  one  mile  and  a  fourth, 
until  we  came  to  the  first  rifle-pits  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge.  This 
was  done  under  a  desperate  fire  from  both  artillery  and  infantry. 
Some  fell  on  the  lawn.  Most  of  the  shots  were  too  high ;  shells 
burst  directly  over  us.  General  Sheridan  rode  up  behind  the 
73d  and  remarked:  'I  know  you  ;  fix  bayonets  and  go  ahead.' 
We  were  in  the  front  line.  We  halted  at  the  rifle-pits  for  a  short 
time  to  rest  and  give  the  short-winded  soldiers  time  to  get  up. 
Then  we  moved  to  the  second  line  of  works ;  rested  again,  after 
driving  the  rebels  and  taking  many  prisoners.  Moved  again,  and 
under  a  terrific  fire,  reached  the  third  line.  Many  fell.  Started 
again ;  had  to  move  up  a  hill  at  an  inclination  of  about  thirty 
degrees,  exposed  to  bursting  shell  and  a  shower  of  grape,  canis- 
ter and  minie-balls.  The  only  shelter  that  we  had  was  now 
and  then  a  tree,  a  log,  or  a  stump.  The  flags  moved  up  gradu- 
ally ;  the  color-bearers  would  stop  and  await  the  coming  up  of  the 
men,  who  were  pouring  on  the  enemy  a  terrible  fire;  the  enemy, 
having  all  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge,  except  those  who  had 
been  either  killed,  wounded,  or  captured.  It  was  at  this  point 
that  Stephen  Newlin  and  Nathaniel  Henderson  were  wounded.  I 
left  Sergeant  Sheets  to  care  for  them,  when  we  moved  on  again. 


266 


ON  THE  TOP  RIDGE. 


This  was  our  hardest  time;  we  had  to  pass  a  more  exposed  point. 
From  tree  to  tree,  from  stump  to  stump,  and  from  log  to  log,  we 
went  until  we  came  to  a  point  where  the  slope  was  greater,  the 

ascent  steeper,  perhaps 
about  forty  degrees  eleva- 
tion. Here  we  remained 
about  twenty  minutes,  to 
get  in  readiness  to  make 
the  final  charge.  General 
Sheridan,  came  riding  up; 
when  we  started  and 
moved  steadily  on  until 
we  reached  the  top  of  the 
ridge.  Just  before  we  got 
there  the  rebels  threw 
hand  grenades  and  rocks 
at  us.  No  matter  for 
that,  our  flags  and  ban- 
ners must  be  planted  on 
the  top  of  the  ridge. 

TTootir      foil  •        T       */->r> 

PLANTING  FI,AG  ON  MISSIONARY  RIDGE. 

but  soon  became  exhausted  and  fell. 


fel1  "'      *     tO°k     the 

flag  and   moved  forward, 
Hasty  caught  up,  and  we 


went  on  together,  and  planted  the  colors  on  top  the  ridge  at  five 
o'clock  P.  M.,  about  three  paces  in  the  rear  of  the  88th  Illinois." 

In  a  letter  from  Colonel  Jaquess,  dated  London, 
England,  August  2,  1889,  he  says  : 

"While  reading  General  Sheridan's  Memoirs,  I  made  note  of 
the  following,  among  other  statements  which  I  found,  viz.:  The 
general,  in  speaking  of  his  movements  with  his  cavalry  around 
Richmond  and  Petersburg,  in  the  last  days  of  the  rebellion,  says: 
'  Mounting  a  powerful  gray  pacing  horse,  called  Breckinridge 
(from  its  capture  from  one  of  Breckinridge's  staff  officers  at  Mis- 
sionary Ridge),  and  that  I  knew  would  carry  me  through  the 
mud,'  etc.  Vol.  II,  page  143.  Now,  General  Sheridan  knew  that 
this  horse  was  captured  by  one  of  the  73d  boys,  for  I  presented 
him  with  the  horse  myself,  with  saddle,  bridle,  and  full  equip- 
ments, and  I  told  him  of  the  circumstances  of  the  capture  of  the 
horse,  over  which  .he  laughed  most  heartily." 


A  HORSE  FOR  SHERIDAN.  267 

William  Corzine,  of  Company  I,  captured  the  horse, 
and  Colonel  Jaquess  relates  the  circumstances  of  the 
capture  as  follows : 

"As  we  were  in  line,  November  25,  1863,  and  about  to 
move  on  the  enemy's  works,  consisting  of  three  lines,  all  of  which 
we  captured,  the  73d  in  front  as  usual,  I  rode  along  the  line  and 
said  jestingly  to  the  men,  who  were  eager  for  the  fray :  '  Besides 
whipping  the  rebels  thoroughly,  and  paying  them  up  fully  for 
what  they  did  at  Chickamauga,  I  want  you  to  capture,  besides 
many  prisoners,  one  horse — a  good  one — for  me.  They — the 
rebs — got  both  of  my  fine  horses  at  Chickamauga,  as  you  know, 
and  I  want  one  now  in  return,  and  another  later  on.'  As  we 
passed  over  the  last  line  of  works,  where  we  captured  many  pris- 
oners, one  of  my  men  rushed  out  into  the  bushes  in  front,  and  in  a 
moment  or  two  returned  with  a  fine  gray  horse,  and  said :  '  Here, 
Colonel,  I  have  brought  you  your  horse.'  It  was  this  horse  that 
General  Sheridan  mentions  as  being  in  his  service  around  Rich- 
mond." 

We  recur  now  to  Captain  Kyger's  description  of  the 
scene  on  the  crest  of  the  ridge ;  beginning  where  we 
left  off: 

"Now  came  a  time  of  rejoicing  as  those  coming  up  the  ridge 
would  reach  its  crest.  Yell  after  yell  went  up  the  whole  length 
of  the  ridge.  But  with  us  this  did  not  last  long.  We  charged 
down  the  eastern  slope  of  the  ridge,  taking  many  prisoners  and 
some  artillery  in  the  valley.  The  number  of  pieces  of  artillery 
taken  in  our  immediate  front  was  seventeen.  Our  losses  were  not 
heavy,  when  compared  to  the  work  accomplished.  The  73d  lost 
three  killed  and  twenty-two  wounded.  Lieutenant-Colonel  David- 
son was  slightly  wounded  in  the  right  wrist.  Bishop,  Ellis,  Hast)7, 
and  Lewis  were  among  the  very  first  to  reach  the  top  of  the 
ridge.  This  was  a  great  victory  ;  something  that,  to  look  the 
ground  over,  would  seem  impossible  to  accomplish — charging  a 
distance  of  two  miles,  about  half  the  way  at  an  average  angle  of 
thirty-five  degrees.  Loss  in  division,  according  to  General  Sheri- 
dan's report,  was,  in  killed  and  wounded,  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
two  commissioned  officers,  and  eleven  hundred  and  seventy  en- 
listed men.  I  can  give  no  figures  on  the  rebel  loss,  but  it  was 


268  PURSUED  THE  ENEMY. 

quite  heavy,  and  their  defeat  was  a  complete  one.  Bragg  rode 
along  about  fifteen  minutes  before  we  arrived  at  the  summit  of 
the  ridge,  and  a  lady  questioned  him  thus:  'What  will  I  do 
when  the  Yankees  come  up  here  ?'  to  which  Bragg  answered : 
'  Why,  madam,  you  must  be  crazy  ;  the  Yankees  can  never  come 
here  in  the  world  ;  I  have  forty  thousand  men  here.' 

"  On  the  Road  to  Chickamatiga  Station,  Thursday,  November  26, 
1863. — Marched  on  to  Chickamauga  Creek.  Returned  to  Chatta- 
nooga at  sunset. 

"27th.— In  camp. 

"  28th. — Fourth  Corps  marched  to  the  relief  of  Burnside  at 
Knoxville.  Camped  on  north  bank  of  Chickamauga  Creek. 

"29th. — Marched  through  Harrison,  camping  a  short  distance 
north  of  town. 

"30th. — Marched  at  six  A.  M.  Crossed  the  Hiawassee  River 
on  a  pontoon  bridge  after  night,  and  went  into  camp  on  north 
bank. 

"  December  1st. — Quite  cool.  Marched  again  ;  went  into  camp 
after  a  tramp  of  fifteen  miles. 

"  2d. — Crossed  the  Little  Tennessee  River  at  Morgautown,  on 
bridge  the  pioneers  erected. 

"3d. — Continued  on  the  march. 

"4th. — Passed  through  Philadelphia,  leaving  the  railroad  to 
our  left.* 

It  was,  of  course,  the  main  care  and  business  of  the 
array,  for  the  first  two  or  three  weeks  following  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  to  protect,  strengthen,  and  build 
itself  up,  and  prepare  for  coming  events.  During  this 
time  the  scarcity  of  supplies  for  both  man  and  beast 
began  to  be  a  source  of  anxiety  and  concern.  We  had 


*  Beginning  with  November  26,  1863,  the  entries  for  each  day  in 
Captain  Kyger's  diary  are  very  short.  No  entries  appear  for  dates 
later  than  December  4th  during  the  year.  There  is  also  a  gap,  so  to  speak, 
in  the  diary,  a  portion,  one  book,  perhaps,  being  lost.  The  missing 
part  covered  the  period  from  September  27th  to  October  10,  1863,  both 
inclusive.  We  regret  very  much  that  this  portion  of  the  diary  has 
been  lost,  as  we  have  reason  to  believe  the  memoranda  for  the  missing 
dates  were  very  full  and  complete,  and  detailed  the  events  of  the  time 
in  a  manner  worthy  of  them. 


VER  Y  SCANT  RA  TIOXS.  269 

occasion  to  write  to  Major  George  0.  Pond  relative  to 
material  he  had  furnished  for  this  work,  and  we  asked 
him  to  furnish  more,  thinking  he  would  perhaps  be  able 
to  help  us  out  on  that  portion  of  this  history  which  re- 
lates the  experiences  of  the  regiment  during  the  siege 
of  Chattanooga.  The  doctor's  characteristic  reply  we 
copy  in  full : 

"  CAMP  POINT,  ILLINOIS,  May  17,  1889. 

"DEAR  COMRADE, — I  received  your  letter  this  morning,  and, 
in  answer  to  your  request,  will  say  that  at  the  time  you  mention 
(the  25th  of  September,  1863)  I  had  charge  of  General  Sheridan's 
division  wounded-in-the-field  hospital,  over  the  river,  opposite 
Chattanooga,  where  I  had  sixteen  hundred  wounded  men  of  the 
division.  The  regiment  I  visited  quite  often  ;  it  was  encamped  in 
Chattanooga,  just  back  of  Fort  Lafayette,  exactly  in  front  of 
General  Bragg's  head-quarters  on  Missionary  Ridge.  It  stayed 
there  until  after  the  charge  under  the  orders  of  General  Grant. 
Its  principal  business  while  there — when  not  on  some  kind  of  duty, 
as  near  as  I  could  find  by  frequent  visits  —  was  shooting  rats,  and 
stealing  corn  from  the  starving  horses,  in  order  to  eke  out  the 
scanty  rations  and  keep  from  starving.  The  regiment  was  quite 
small  from  the  losses  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  from  the 
battle-field  of  Chickamauga,  at  that  time  ;  but  gained  some  before 
it  started  for  Knoxville,  the  latter  part  of  November.  I  don't 
know  as  this  will  be  of  any  use  to  you,  but  it  is  all  I  know  about  it. 
Respectfully  yours,  G.  O.  POND." 

The  rats  were  shot,  no  doubt,  to  enable  the  boys  to 
come  nearer  having  a  monopoly  of  stealing  corn  intended 
for  the  mules  and  horses.  The  region  of  country,  of 
which  Chattanooga  was  the  center,  was  very  rough  and 
broken,  entailing  on  foraging  parties  the  necessity  of 
going  long  distances,  over  tortuous  and  muddy  roads, 
in  quest  of  such  supplies  as  might  be  gathered  in  the 
district  of  which  our  forces  had  possession.  Supplies 
of  all  kinds,  short  at  the  commencement  of  the  siege, 
but  becoming  shorter  all  the  time,  diminished  the  powers 


270  SJEGE  OF  CHATTANOOGA 

of  endurance  of  the  men,  horses,  and  mules.  As  the 
ability  to  labor,  endure,  and  withstand  decreased,  the 
work,  hardship,  and  privation  increased.  Clothing,  camp 
equipage,  and  medical  stores  were  inadequate,  also,  to 
meet  the  extra  demands,  which  waning  physical  strength 
produced.  Very  hard,  laborious,  and  trying,  indeed, 
was  the  routine  of  duty  and  camp  living,  pending  the 
memorable  siege  of  Chattanooga.  Weary  marches,  or 
toilsome  trudging  rather,  had  to  be  undergone  on  the 
foraging  expeditions.  Wakefulness  and  watchfulness 
had  to  be  maintained  on  the  picket  and  skirmish  line, 
owing  to  the  immediate  presence  of  the  vigilant,  in- 
solent, and  threatening  enemy.  Camp  and  police  duty 
had  to  be  kept  up.  In  addition  to  all  these  were  the 
unavoidable  suspense,  the  uneasy  longings,  the  restless 
expectancy,  and  the  disappointed  hopes,  inevitably  aris- 
ing as  a  consequence  of  the  unfortunate  turn  of  affairs, 
or  combination  of  circumstances,  following  the  battle  of 
Chickarnauga.  One  stage  of  privation  was  reached  and 
passed,  to  be  succeeded  by  another,  if  possible,  still  more 
nearly  unendurable  and  vexatious.  Not  unfrequently 
called  up  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  go  on  picket 
or  on  the  skirmish-line,  or  to  form  in  line  of  battle, 
and  be  under  arms;  and  loss  of  sleep,  loss  of  rest,  dep- 
rivation of  every  kind,  characterized  the  siege,  until, 
at  last,  the  alternative  of  surrender  or  starvation  was 
almost  presented,  and  the  latter  chosen.  "  We  will  hold 
out  till  we  STARVE,"  were  the  words  of  the  unconquered, 
noble  General  George  H.  Thomas,  in  answer  to  General 
Grant's  telegraphic  order  to  "hold  outT 

At  last  the  promise  of  relief,  sure  to  be  fulfilled  at 
an  early  date,  enabled  the  nearly  famished  army  to 
"  tide  over,"  "  hold  out"  the  few  remaining  days  of  the 


RE-ENFORCEMENTS  AND  CRACKERS.  271 

siege,  or  until  supplies  came  in  greater  abundance. 
General  Grant  reached  Chattanooga  on  or  about  October 
24, 1863,  and  re-enforcements — two  corps,  the  llth  and 
12th,  from  the  East  —  had  arrived,  and  opened  up  the 
communications,  and  restored  the  "  cracker-line,"  before 
this  date.  And  about  the  middle  of  November,  General 
Sherman's  forces  were  nearing  Chattanooga,  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  Tennessee  River,  and  above  the  town. 
It  was  only  a  question  of  time,  and  that  short — only  a 
few  days — when  Bragg's  army  would  be  driven  from 
its  perch  on  Lookout  Mountain,  and  from  the  crest  of 
Missionary  Ridge.  There  is  little  in  the  bringing  about 
of  these  results  to  be  astonished  at,  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  Bragg's  army  had  been  weakened  by  detaching 
Longstreet's  corps,  and  sending  it  to  Knoxville  against 
Burnside;  and  Rosecrans's  —  now  Grant's  —  army  had 
been  heavily  re-enforced  by  the  addition  of  the  forces 
of  Hooker  and  Sherman.  This  reduction  of  the  rebel 
forces  from  what  they  were  at  Chickamauga,  and  this 
addition  to  the  Union  forces  that  were  engaged  in  that 
battle,  more  than  reversed  the  conditions,  at  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge,  as  to  the  numerical  superiority  of 
the  armies,  respectively. 

At  Missionary  Ridge  our  forces  outnumbered  those 
of  the  enemy;  but  for  defensive  purposes,  the  position- 
held  by  Bragg's  army  on  Missionary  Ridge  was  vastly 
superior  to  that  held  by  Rosecrans's  army  at  Chicka- 
mauga. Acting  on  the  defensive,  and  having  all  the 
advantage  of  position,  are  at  least  two  considerations, 
or  conditions,  to  be  counted  in  favor  of  the  rebel  army, 
and  against  the  Union  army,  at  Missionary  Ridge,  and 
make  the  achievements  of  the  latter  in  that  battle  truly 
wonderful  and  praiseworthy. 


272  THE  REGIMENTAL  COLORS. 

On  page  85,  of  Volume  II,  of  General  Grant's  Mem- 
oirs, we  find  this  statement : 

'"The  victory  at  Chattanooga  was  won  against  great  odds,  con- 
sidering the  advantage  the  enemy  had  of  position,  and  was  accom- 
plished more  easily  than  was  expected,  by  reason  of  Bragg's 
making  several  grave  mistakes:  First,  in  sending  away  his  ablest 
corps  commander,  with  over  twenty  thousand  troops;  second,  in 
sending  away  a  division  of  troops  on  the  eve  of  battle ;  third,  in 
placing  so  much  of  a  force  on  the  plain  in  front  of  his  impregnable 
position." 

We  have  unawares  gotten  away  from  the  regiment, 
and  off  the  subject.  To  return,  we  will  recall  and 
repeat  what  Captain  Kyger  noted,  respecting  the  color- 
bearers  and  colors,  pending  the  ascent  of  the  ridge  : 

"The  flags  moved  up  gradually;  the  color-bearers  would  stop, 
and  await  the  coming  up  of  the  men,  who  were  pouring  in  a 
deadly  fire  on  the  enemy." 

Then,  later  on,  when  nearing  the  crest  of  the  ridge 
the  facts  and  circumstances,  as  far  as  our  regimental 
colors  are  concerned,  are  thus  stated  by  Kyger,  after 
mentioning  the  use  by  the  enemy  of  hand-grenades  and 
rocks  as  a  means  of  resistance : 

"No  matter  for  that,  our  flags  and  banners  must  be  planted 
on  the  top  of  the  ridge.  Hasty  fell ;  I  took  the  flag  and  moved 
forward,  but  soon  became  exhausted  and  fell ;  Hasty  caught  up, 
and  we  went  on  together,  and  planted  the  colors  on  top  the  ridge 
at  five  o'clock  P.  M.,  about  three  paces  in  the  rear  of  the  88th 
Illinois." 

Kyger  does  not  say  that  the  colors  of  the  73d  were 
the  first  planted  on  the  ridge ;  nor  does  he  say  that  the 
colors  of  any  other  particular  regiment  were  placed 
there  first,  though  he  had  about  as  well  said  the  colors 
of  the  88th  were  first  planted  there,  as  to  have  said  that 
the  colors  of  the  73d  were  planted  on  top  the  ridge  at 


WHICH  FLAG  WAS  THERE  FIRST f  273 

five  o'clock  P.  M.,  about  three  paces  in  the  rear  of  the 
88th  Illinois.  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  quite  a  num- 
ber of  regiments,  and  regimental  colors,  of  Sheridan's 
division,  reached  the  summit  of  Missionary  Ridge  at 
very  nearly  the  same  moment  of  time ;  and  that  they 
did  so  a  little  in  advance  of  the  regiments  in  either  of 
the  connecting  divisions,  is  perhaps  equally  true;  but 
it  is,  and  will  be,  next  to  impossible  for  any  regiment 
to  fully  and  satisfactorily  establish  a  claim  to  having 
planted  its  flag  on  top  of  Missionary  Ridge  before  any 
other  Union  regimental  flag  was  planted  there.  Among 
the  first  flags  to  be  planted  on  Missionary  Ridge,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1863,  was  that  of  the  73d  Illinois.  We  might 
limit  the  number  to  the  first  ten,  or  the  first  half-dozen 
flags  so  planted ;  but  that  is  the  best  we  can  claim,  and 
perhaps  more  than  we  can  prove.  Captain  Kyger  says 
that  Bishop.  Ellis,  Hasty,  and  Lewis  were  among  the 
very  first  to  reach  the  top  of  the  ridge.  Hasty  was 
our  regimental  color-bearer,  and,  of  course,  had  the  colors 
with  him  at  the  time.* 

At  a  reunion  held  at  Fairmount,  Illinois,  by  Com- 
panies C  and  E,  of  the  73d,  in  October,  1886,  it  was 
stoutly  claimed  by  several  members  of  the  two  com- 
panies that  the  colors  of  the  73d  were  the  first  planted 
on  the  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge,  November  25,  1863 ; 
and  that  General  Sheridan  must  be  aware  that  such  was 
the  fact.  Accordingly,  General  Sheridan  was  written 
to,  and  interrogated  on  the  subject ;  but  if  he  knew,  he 


*  "  Perhaps  it  can  never  be  ascertained  exactly  what  flag  was  first 
over  the  parapet,  so  nearly  together  did  many  of  the  regiments  struggle 
on  to  the  ridge ;  but  of  our  part  of  the  line,  our  color-bearer  says  the  22d 
Indiana  was  first,  while  he  was  second,  and  declares  if  he  bad  been 
without  his  overcoat,  he  would  have  been  first;  and  the  88th,  we  know, 
was  close  by."  (Pages  529,  530,  36th  Illinois.) 

18 


274  NOT  A  VERY  GOOD  WITNESS. 

was  very  careful  not  to  disclose  his  knowledge  or  opin- 
ion in  the  premises.  His  aid,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Blunt, 
wrote  as  follows : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES,  \ 
"  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  November  5,  1886.     J 

"  DEAR  SIR, — I  am  desired  by  Lieuteuant-Geueral  Sheridan,  in 
reply  to  your  letter  of  October  30th,  to  say  that  he  is  not  prepared 
to  say  which  regiment  first  planted  its  flag  on  the  hostile  works, 
at  the  summit  of  Missionary  Ridge,  in  the  action  of  November  25, 
1863.  In  this  connection  he  desires  me  also  to  express  his  appre- 
ciation of  the  services  of  the  73d  Illinois,  in  this  and  other  engage- 
ments, and  his  admiration  for  the  gallantry  displayed  by  both 
officers  and  men.  Yours  truly, 

"  S.  E.  BLUNT,  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Aid-de-Camp. 
"Mn.  WILLIAM  H.  NEAVLIN,  Danville,  Vermilion  County,  Illinois." 

We  make  the  following  extracts  from  General  Sheri- 
dan's Memoirs,  treating  of  the  work  accomplished  by 
his  division  in  the  action  at  Missionary  Ridge,  Novem- 
ber 25,  1863,  beginning  at  page  308,  of  Volume  I,  but 
not  copying  the  whole  of  that,  or  of  any  of  the  follow- 
ing pages.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  our  regiment 
was  in  Colonel  Frank  T.  Sherman's  brigade.  Sheridan 
says: 

"  About  two  o'clock  orders  came  to  carry  the  line  at  the  foot 
of  the  ridge,  attacking  at  a  signal  of  six  guns.  I  had  few  changes 
or  new  dispositions  to  make.  Wagner's  brigade,  which  was  nex; 
to  Wood's  division,  was  formed  in  double  lines,  and  Barker's 
brigade  took  the  same  formation  on  Wagner's  right.  Colonel  F. 
T.  Sherman's  brigade  came  on  Harker's  right,  formed  in  a  column 
of  attack,  with  a  front  of  three  regiments,  he  having  nine.  My 
whole  front  was  covered  with  a  heavy  line  of  skirmishers." 

He  then  locates  his  division,  gives  its  position  with 
reference  to  the  others,  making  its  center  exactly  op- 
posite Bragg's  head-quarters  on  Missionary  Ridge.  The 
stream  of  water,  the  fringe  of  timber,  and  the  plain 


BATTLE  OF  MISSIONARY  RIDGE.  275 

beyond,  extending  to  the  foot  of  Missionary  Ridge,  is 
mentioned;  then  proceeding,  he  says: 

"At  the  foot  of  the  ridge  was  the  enemy's  first  line  of  rifle- 
pits  ;  at  a  point  midway  up  its  face  another  line,  incomplete ;  and 
on  the  crest  was  a  third  line,  in  which  Bragg  had  massed  his 
artillery." 

The  enemy's  preparations  for  resistance  are  described, 
and  the  discussion  with  his  brigade  commanders  con- 
cerning orders,  and  the  sending  of  Captain  Ransom  to 
Granger  to  ascertain  whether  the  first  line  only,  or  the 
ridge  beyond,  should  be  carried,  are  in  turn  alluded  to, 
as  is  also  the  impatient  waiting  for  the  signal  guns  to 
fire.  Then  Sheridan  proceeds : 

"  Shortly  after  Ransom  started,  the  signal  guns  were  fired,  and 
I  told  my  brigade  commanders  to  go  for  the  ridge.  Placing  my- 
self in  front  of  Barker's  brigade,  between  the  lines  of  battle  and 
the  skirmishers,  accompanied  by  only  an  orderly,  so  as  not  to 
attract  the  enemy's  fire,  we  moved  out.  Under  a  terrible  storm 
of  shot  and  shell,  the  line  pressed  forward  steadily  through  the 
timber,  and,  as  it  emerged  on  the  plain,  took  the  double-quick,  and 
with  fixed  bayonets  rushed  at  the  enemy's  first  line.  Not  a  shot 
was  fired  from  our  line  of  battle,  and  as  it  gained  on  my  skirmish- 
ers, they  melted  into  and  became  one  with  it,  and  all  three  of  my 
brigades  went  over  the  rifle-pits  simultaneously.  Then  they  lay 
down  on  the  face  of  the  ridge  for  a  breathing-spell,  and  for  pro- ' 
tection  from  the  terrible  fire  of  canister  and  musketry  pouring  over 
us  from  the  guns  on  the  crest."  .  .  . 

Prisoners  captured  at  this  point  went  hurrying  to 
the  rear,  in  the  direction  of  Chattanooga,  to  escape 
danger  from  the  galling  fire  of  their  own  men  on  the 
summit  of  the  ridge,  while  those  who  did  not  surrender, 
"scampered"  lively  for  their  next  line  of  works,  being 
exposed  to  the  same  fire.  Noting  the  return  of  Captain 
Ransom,  who  had  gone  to  see  General  Granger,  and  a 


276  THE  COLORS  TO  THE  FROXT. 

few  other  minor  events,  General  Sheridan  goes  on  and 
describes  the  movement  of  the  troops,  the  color-bearers 
also  receiving  due  attention: 

"  In  the  meantime  Barker's  and  F.  T.  Sherman's  troops  were 
approaching  the  partial  line  of  works  midway  of  the  ridge,  and  as 
I  returned  to  the  center  of  their  rear,  they  were  being  led  by  many 
stands  of  regimental  colors.  There  seemed  to  be  a  rivalry  as  to 
which  color  should  be  farthest  to  the  front ;  first  one  would  go  for- 
ward a  few  feet,  then  another  would  come  up  to  it,  the  color- 
bearers  vying  with  one  another  as  to  who  should  be  foremost, 
until  finally  every  standard  was  planted  on  the  intermediate  works. 
The  enemy's  fire  from  the  crest  during  the  ascent  was  terrific  in 
the  noise  made ;  but  as  it  was  plunging,  it  overshot,  and  had  little 
effect  on  those  above  the  second  line  of  pits,  but  was  very  uncom- 
fortable for  those  below,  so  I  deemed  it  advisable  to  seek  another 
place,  and  Wagner's  brigade  having  reassembled  and  again  pressed 
up  the  ridge,  I  rode  up  the  face  to  join  my  troops.  As  soon  as 
the  men  saw  me,  they  surged  forward  and  went  over  the  works 
on  the  crest.  .  .  . 

"  The  right  and  center  of  my  division  gained  the  summit  first, 
they  being '  partially  sheltered  by  a  depression  in  the  face  of  the 
ridge,  the  Confederates  in  their  immediate  front  fleeing  down  the 
southern  face.  ...  .  Wildly  cheering,  the  men  advanced 
along  the  ridge  toward  Bragg's  head-quarters,  and  soon  drove  the 
Confederates  from  this  last  position,  capturing  a  number  of  prison- 
ers, among  them  Breckinridge's  and  Bates's  adjutant-generals,  and 
the  battery  that  had  made  such  stout  resistance  on  the  crest  — 
two  guns  which  were  named  '  Lady  Breckinridge '  and  '  Lady 
Buckner'  —  General  Bragg  himself  having  barely  time  to  escape 
before  his  head-quarters  were  taken." 

So,  according  to  Sheridan,  the  right — F.  T.  Sherman's 
brigade,  in  which  the  73d  was  included — and  center  of 
his  division  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge  first.  As  he 
was  speaking  of  his  own  division  only,  we  are  to  under- 
stand that  the  right  and  center  reached  the  summit 
before  the  left  of  his  division  did.  To  conclude : 

"  I  took  into  the  action  an  effective  force  of  six  thousand,  and 
lost  123  officers,  and  1,181  men,  killed  and  wounded.  These 


WHERE  THE  HEA  VY  LOSSES  FELL.  277 

casualties  speak  louder  than  words  of  the  character  of  the  fight, 
and  plainly  tell  where  the  enemy  struggled  most  stubbornly,  for 
these  figures  comprise  one- third  the  casualties  of  the  entire  body  of 
Union  troops  —  Sherman's,  and  all  included.  My  division  cap- 
tured 1,762  prisoners,  and,  in  all,  seventeen  pieces  of  artillery.  Six 
of  these  guns  I  turned  over  with  caissons  complete ;  eleven  were 
hauled  off  the  field  and  appropriated  by  an  officer  of  high  rank  — 
General  Hazen. 

"  General  Grant  says:  '  To  Sheridan's  prompt  movement,  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  and  the  Nation  are  indebted  for  the 
bulk  of  the  capture  of  prisoners,  artillery,  and  small  arms,  that 
day.  Except  for  his  prompt  pursuit,  so  much  in  this  way  would 
not  have  been  accomplished.' 

"General  Thomas  says:  'We  captured  all  their  cannon  and 
ammunition,  before  they  could  be  removed  or  destroyed.  After 
halting  a  few  moments  to  reorganize  the  troops,  who  had  become 
somewhat  scattered  in  the  assault  of  the  hill,  General  Sheridan 
pushed  forward  in  pursuit,  and  drove  those  in  his  front  who  had 
escaped  capture  across  Chickamauga  Creek.' 

"Colonel  Harker,  commander  of  3d  Brigade,  says:  'My  right) 
and  Colonel  Sherman's  left  interlocked,  so  to  speak,  as  we  ap- 
proached the  summit,  and  it  was  near  this  point  that  I  saw  the 
first  part  of  my  line  gain  the  crest.  This  was  done  by  a  few 
brave  men  of  my  own  and  Colonel  Sherman's  command  driving 
the  enemy  from  his  intrenchments.  The  gap  thus  opened,  our 
men  rushed  rapidly  in,  and  the  enemy,  loath  to  give  up  their 
position,  still  remained,  firing  at  my  command  toward  the  left, 
and  the  battery  in  front  of  the  house  known  as  General 
Bragg's  head-quarters  was  still  firing  at  the  troops,  and  was 
captured  by  our  men  while  the  gunners  were  still  at  their 
posts.' " 

The  intent  on  the  part  of  Sheridan  in  reproducing 
parts  of  these  several  reports  is  to  show  that  his  divis- 
ion was  not  the  last  one  to  effect  a  lodgment  on  the 
summit  of  Missionary  Ridge,  but  the  first  division  to 
reach  that  point.  Being  the  first  to  arrive  on  top  the 
ridge,  Sheridan's  division  was  the  first  rested,  and  the 
first  ready  to  pursue  the  enemy,  and  make  the  captures 


278        OFF  AT  ONCE  FOR  KNOXV1LLE. 

of  prisoners,  cannon,  and  small-arms  that  General  Grant 
credits  it  with  making.  According  to  General  Thomas, 
but  one  division  made  pursuit  of  the  fleeing  Confederates, 
and  that  was  Sheridan's.  General  Sheridan  not  only 
asked  for  more  troops  to  join  his  division  in  the  pursuit, 
but  resorted  to  the  device  of  a  feigned  attack,  or  en- 
gagement, in  the  hope  that  Granger  would  send  re- 
enforcements;  but  they  were  not  sent.  Granger  heard 
the  noise  of  the  "  sham  battle,"  but  would  not  be  fooled 
by  it. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day  Sheridan,  under 
orders,  returned  to  Chattanooga,  to  commence  getting 
his  command  as  well  fitted  out  for  the  winter  cam- 
paign as  he  might  from  the  limited  supplies  in  store 
there.  Never,  since  leaving  Murfreesboro,  six  months 
before  this,  had  our  regiment  been  in  possession  of 
more  stores  of  any  kind  than  was  absolutely  necessary 
while  on  the  march.  Winter  was  now  at  hand,  and 
supplies  of  every  kind  scant,  and  the  only  compensat- 
ing feature  for  this  condition  of  things,  was  the  fact 
that  there  was  plenty  of  exercise  and  some  rough- 
ness ahead.  Hard  marching  would  partly  overcome, 
or  obviate,  the  need  of  clothing,  and  at  the  same  time 
create  an  appetite  for,  or  render  palatable,  such  sup- 
plies of  food  as  might  be  picked  up  in  the  country  to 
be  traversed. 

Scarcely  any  time  was  permitted  for  rest  and  re- 
cuperation to  that  portion  of  the  army  which  was  to  go 
to  the  relief  of  Burnside  and  East  Tennessee.  We 
have  already  noted  the  fact  that  the  73d  started  with  the 
4th  Corps,  November  28th,  for  Knoxville.  This  appears 
from  Kyger's  memoranda  last  quoted,  which  shows  that 
the  regiment  passed  through  Philadelphia,  Tennessee,  on 


HARD,  BUT  WILLING  SERVICES.  279 

December  4,  1863.  The  necessities  of  the  case;  Burn- 
side's  predicament,  hemmed  in  at  Knoxville,  nearly  all 
supplies  cut  off,  called  imperiously  and  loudly  for  help, 
and  no  time  was  allowed  for  rest  or  refurnishing  the 
army,  before  it  started  from  Chattanooga  northward. 
Probably  army  stores  of  all  kinds  were  not  abundant 
at  Chattanooga  at  the  time. 

Rations  were  scarce,  clothing  scant,  and  the  season 
of  the  year  unfavorable  for  active  military  operations ; 
the  country  was  hilly  and  broken,  the  roads  rough 
and  difficult,  muddy  and  slippery,  owing  to  frequent 
rains ;  so,  taken  altogether,  it  is  clearly  obvious  that 
the  march  was  a  severe  one.  Badly  worn  shoes, 
which  afforded  meager  protection  to  the  feet,  made  the 
marching,  all  the  more  trying  and  provoking  to  the 
sorely,  heavily-tasked  veterans.  Ragged,  bedraggled, 
mud-bespattered  pants,  the  clothing  all  in  sorry  plight, 
were  the  rule,  not  the  exception,  on  this  enforced  cam- 
paign. Not  merely  discomfort,  inconvenience,  and  pri- 
vation characterized  the  fatiguing  march,  but  suffering, 
real  suffering,  was  patiently  endured  on  the  way  to 
Knoxville.* 

Recollections  of  all  past  services,  whether  rewarded 
with  success  or  not;  recollections  of  their  recent 
brilliant  and  substantial  achievements  stimulated  and 
spurred  the  soldiers  on  in  the  path  of  duty.  If  the 


*  A  number  of  the  regiment  who  were  unable  to  start  with  it,  on 
the  campaign  to  East  Tennessee,  followed  up  later  with  squads  and 
detachments.  In  one  or  more  instances,  the  enemy's  cavalry  attempted 
to  "gobble  up"  these  squads,  but  entirely  failed  every  time.  Captain 
Ingersoll  and  Lieutenant  Sherrick,  and  perhaps  one  or  more  other 
officers,  and  quite  a  number  of  men  of  the  regiment,  had  an  interesting 
and  lively  time  of  it,  catching  up  with  the  command,  but  all  finally 
reached  it. 


280  EAST  TENNESSEE  RELIEVED. 

sufferings  of  the  patriots  of  the  Revolution  under  Wash- 
ington, at  Valley  Forge,  were  necessary  to  secure  the 
independence  of  the  country,  so  now,  perhaps,  the  suf- 
ferings of  their  descendants  were  necessary  to  preserve 
and  perpetuate  the  Government  and  institutions  of  the 
country,  and  hand  them  down,  purified  and  regenerated, 
to  present  and  later  times. 

Immediate  and  pressing  were  the  needs  of  our  patient, 
beleaguered,  and  besieged  army,  shut  in  at  Knoxville ; 
the  loyal,  patriotic,  persecuted,  and  long-suffering  people 
of  East  Tennessee  were  yearning  for  liberation  from 
rebel  sway,  and  must  be  relieved  from  the  yoke  and 
burden  of  a  most  despicable  tyranny;  the  great  anxiety 
and  solicitude,  which  this  state  of  affairs  produced  in 
the  minds  of  a  loyal  President  and  people,  must  be 
allayed ;  so  the  soldiers,  animated,  encouraged,  IMPELLED 
by  all  these  considerations,  strove  and  struggled  on, 
until  the  clouds  lifted ;  Burnside  was  succored ;  East 
Tennessee  was  redeemed.  The  closing  days  of  1863 
found  our  regiment  at  Blain's  Cross-roads,  northward 
a  few  miles  from  Knoxville.  Sherman's  forces,  which 
had  also  participated  in  the  campaign  which  raised  the 
siege  of  Knoxville,  returned  immediately  to  their  camps 
on  the  Tennessee,  near  Chattanooga. 

Owing  to  the  necessity,  on  the  part  of  our  soldiers, 
to  subsist  in  large  measure  off  the  country,  the  oppor- 
tunity for  the  mingling  of  the  soldiers  among  the  people 
was  created,  improved,  and  enjoyed  to  an  extent 
beyond  what  had  ever  been  previously  experienced  by 
them. 

To  facilitate  this  living  off  the  country,  but  few  troops 
were  encamped  at  any  one  point.  The  people  of  East 
Tennessee,  the  "rank  and  file"  of  them,  were  mainly 


CONCLUSION  OF  CHAPTER  IV.  281 

truly  loyal  to  the  Union,  and  hailed  with  joy  and 
gladness  the  coming  of  Federal  troops  into  their 
midst. 

With  this  we  close  this  chapter,  and  the  record  for 
the  year — the  eventful  year  1863. 


FORTY-TWO  STAR  FI.AG. 


282  EAST  TENNESSEE. 


CHAPTER  V. 

WINTER  IN  EAST  TENNESSEE  —  DANDRIDGE  CAMPAIGN  —  PRELIMI- 
NARY MOVEMENT  —  ATLANTA  CAMPAIGN — BACK  TO  CHATTA- 
NOOGA— A  GREAT  DEAL  OF  BUSINESS  IN  OUR  LINE  ALL  SUM- 
MER AND  FALL — BY  RAIL  TO  HUNTSVILLE  AND  ATHENS — 
THENCE  ON  FOOT  TO  PULASKI  AND  LINNVILLE. 

EAST  TENNESSEE  being,  for  the  most  part,  rough, 
hilly,  and  mountainous,  the  area  of  level  lands  for  cul- 
tivation was  necessarily  small.  And  that  part  of  the 
surface  of  the  earth  in  this  region  devoted  to  the  pur- 
poses of  producing  the  necessaries  of  life  was  cut  up 
by  these  hills,  mountains,  rivers  and  lesser  streams  into 
smiill  tracts.  The  most  diminutive  of  these  tracts,  in 
the  roughest  portion  of  the  country,  was  tilled,  if  in  no 
other  way,  then  by  hand  with  the  spade  and  hoe.  This 
accounts  for  the  fact  that  in  estimating  the  amount  of 
corn  produced  on  any  little  patch  or  "  nook  or  corner  " 
of  ground,  it  was  given  as  so  many  hills,  instead  of  so 
many  acres  of  corn.  Very  frequently  the  area  put  in 
corn,  or  other  crops,  was  much  less  than  an  acre  in  a 
place. 

Large  farms  and  plantations  were  not  numerous  in 
East  Tennessee  as  in  other  portions  of  the  State, 
and  in  other  Southern  States.  The  nature  of  the 
country,  its  romantic  irregularity  and  unevenness,  were 
not  so  well  adapted  to  the  laying  off  and  cultivation  of 
large  farms  or  estates.  For  this  reason  negro  sl'aves 
were  not  owned  or  held  very  extensively  in  East 


"THE  SWITZERLAND"  OF  AMERICA.  283 

Tennessee.  A  very  considerable  majority  of  the  popu- 
lation were  whites,  ««ind  toiled  with  their  own  hands  for 
subsistence.  The  sympathies  of  this  class, .the  laboring 
class,  were  naturally  on  the  side  of  freedom  and  Union 
in  the  pending  contest.  There  were  a  few  white  people, 
the  majors,  colonels,  and  generals,  those  who  owned 
and  held  a  few  slaves  and  more  or  less  lands,  whose 
interests  and  sympathies  were  all  on  the  side  of  the 
rebellion,  as  a  rule.  These,  belonging  to  the  governing 
class,  holding  sway,  and  being  better  organized,  had 
sufficient  influence  and  power  to  lead  astray  a  fraction 
of  the  poorer,  laboring  white  people,  and  enlist  them 
under  the  banners  of  treason,  contrary  to  their  true  in- 
terests and  natural,  inborn  impulses.  Various  causes, 
remote  and  otherwise,  combined  to  make  the  separation 
or  dividing  line  between  the  loyal  and  disloyal,  the 
union  and  disunion  elements  in  East  Tennessee,  strongly 
marked  or  well  defined ;  the  loyal  party  was  intensely 
loyal,  and  the  rebellious  party  was  intensely  rebellious. 

The  rough  country,  the  mountain  districts,  the  woods, 
thickets,  and  jungles,  furnished  excellent  hiding-places 
for  refugees,  or  marauding  bands,  of  either  side.  So 
East  Tennessee  was  a  continual  battle-ground  from  the 
opening  of  hostilities,  in  1861,  to  the  final  and]  com- 
plete inoccupation  of  that  country  by  the  Union  forces 
in  the  winter  of  1863-64. 

Worthy,  not  merely  of  mention,  but  of  all  praise,  is 
the  devoted  and  tried  and  conspicuous  loyalty  and  hero- 
ism of  the  women  of  East  Tennessee.  Many  of  them 
suffered  and  endured  hardships  in  the  cause;  but  many 
dared  to  do  or  undertake  hazardous  service  in  behalf  of 
the  Federal  Government  or  forces. 

Union  soldiers  mingled  freely  among  the  loyalists  of 


284  BECOMING  ACQUAINTED. 

East  Tennessee  and  their  families,  as  they  had  oppor- 
tunity. As  to  the  truth  of  some  allegations,  that  many 
marriages  took  place  between  our  soldiers  and  the  young 
women  of  the  country  adjacent  to  our  camps,  we  can  not 
say.  If  any  took  place,  they  were  doubtless  strictly 
legal  and  proper.  The  machinery  of  the  local  government 
was,  in  most  counties,  disgruntled,  or  "out  of  joint;" 
but  the  "  emergency,"  or  "  military  necessity,"  would, 
in  most  cases,  afford  some  pretext  or  excuse  for  our 
excellent  army  chaplains  to  go  on  with  the  ceremony. 

The  many  water-courses  and  mountain  streams  of 
East  Tennessee  afford  excellent  water-power  milling 
facilities.  The  number  and  locality  of  these  mills  fur- 
nished another  reason,  in  addition  to  that  already  men- 
tioned, for  the  scattering  of  our  forces,  and  the  camping 
of  a  brigade,  or  part  of  one — sometimes  of  a  regiment 
only — in  a  place.  Frequent  interchange  of  visits  from 
one  regiment  to  another  by  our  soldiers,  as  well  as 
visits  to  the  families  in  the  several  neighborhoods,  as 
before  alluded  to,  rendered  necessary,  or  afforded  an 
opportunity  for,  the  making  of  trips  by  night,  by  small 
squads,  or  individuals.  Sometimes  these  trips  or  ven- 
tures would  be  several  miles  from  camp ;  rivers  would 
be  crossed  and  recrossed.  or  rowed  up  and  down  in 
the  canoe,  before  the  squad  or  individual  would  return 
to  camp.  Likewise,  mountains  and  ridges  would  be 
gone  over,  and  obscure  paths  and  by-paths  be  threaded 
in  making  these  adventures,  some  attended  with  more 
or  less  risk. 

Meals,  prepared  more  after  the  home-style  and  qual- 
ity, were  in  this  way  obtained ;  the  first  paving  the  way 
for  the  second  and  third,  and  so  on ;  and  in  this  manner 
acquaintances  were  made,  and  intimacies  were  formed, 


MATTERS  UNTOUCHED.  285 

that  were  not  broken  off  or  discontinued  until  the  army 
moved,  and  perhaps  not  then,  if  any  weddings  resulted. 

We  have,  as  far  as  possible,  depended  entirely  on 
memoranda  in  the  preparation  of  this  chapter,  and  have 
condensed  and  abridged  as  much  as  we  could,  without 
doing  violence  to  important  facts  and  incidents.  No 
matter  how  full  and  extended  a  statement  \ve  might 
have  made,  many  matters  of  interest  to  some  part  of 
the  regiment,  if  not  to  the  whole  of  it,  would  have  been 
omitted  anyhow;  and  it  costs  money  to  print  books, 
and  takes  time  to  read  them.  We  regret  very  much 
that  memoranda  covering  the  period  of  time  spent  in  East 
Tennessee  could  not  be  obtained.  What  data  we  have  had 
access  to,  were  very  meager;  there  being  no  entries  for 
intervals  of  several  days.  We  have  availed  ourselves  of 
the  use  of  memoranda  made  by  Thomas  J.  Cassaday,  of 
Company  B,  73d  Illinois;  also  of  Captain  Kyger's,  as 
heretofore.  These  have  proved  to  be  very  helpful,  and 
where  neither  of  these  give  account  of  daily  occur- 
rences, we  have  supplied  the  omissions,  bridged  over 
the  gaps,  the  best  we  could,  drawing  upon  our  personal 
knowledge  and  recollection,  refreshed,  of  course,  by  ex- 
amining history. 

The  close  of  the  year  1863,  and  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1864  as  well,  found  the  regiment  at  Blain's 
Cross-roads.  The  point  mentioned  last  before  Blain's 
Cross-roads,  as  lying  in  the  route  followed  by  the  regi- 
ment, was  Philadelphia,  Tennessee.  Of  course,  many 
intermediate  points  were  touched  by  the  command  on 
its  march  northward;  the  principal  of  these  were  Lou- 
don,  Kingston,  and  Knoxville.  Longstreet  having  been 
compelled  to  raise  the  siege  of  Knoxville,  early  in  De- 
cember, and  retire  in  the  direction  of  Virginia,  Sherman, 


286  DANDRIDGE  CAMPAIGN. 

with  his  immediate  command,  returned  to  Chattanooga, 
leaving  Granger  with  the  4th  Corps  to  winter  in  the 
region  of  country  about  Knoxville.  It  was  a  severe 
winter,  especially  considering  that  our  soldiers  were 
poorly  clad  and  fed. 

It  appears  the  whole  of  the  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division, 
4th  Corps,  was  encamped  at  Blain's  Cross-roads,  early 
in  January,  1864,  but  divided  up  and  scattered  out,  in 
order  to  obtain  more  and  better  rations,  the  supply  be- 
coming very  scant  about  that  time.  The  73d  went  to 
Haworth's  mills,  on  January  1st,  and  thereafter  had 
more  to  subsist  on;  but  the  men  had  to  grind  wheat  and 
corn  at  the  mill  into  flour  and  meal,  in  order  to  make, 
with  what  the  commissary  issued,  anything  like  full 
supplies.  While  at  Haworth's  mills,  Captain  Kyger 
visited  a  number  of  families  at  New  Market,  who  had 
relatives  or  acquaintances  in  Illinois,  about  Georgetown. 
Among  them  were  the  Braseltons,  Moffats,  Inmans, 
and  Bakers,  all  rebels  as  it  happened,  and  all  de- 
spondent. 

The  regiment  remained  at  Haworth's  mills  until  Janu- 
ary 17th.  It  then  joined  and  moved  with  the  brigade 
and  the  balance  of  the  4th  Corps  to  Dandridge,  where 
it  arrived  on  the  evening  of  date  last  named.  A  skir- 
mish was  had  with  the  enemy,  in  which  the  latter  was 
driven  nearly  two  miles.  The  23d  Army  Corps  was  also 
at  Dandridge.  January  18th  there  was  more  or  less  skir- 
mishing during  the  day ;  a  severe  one  took  place  in  the 
afternoon.  At  sunset,  orders  to  fall  back  to  Knoxville 
were  issued,  and  the  troops  started  just  before  dark, 
and  marched  all  night.  The  enemy  pursued  our  forces 
about  five  miles  of  the  way.  But  few  stops  were  made 
during  the  night,  and  these  were  brief. 


THE  RETURN  TO  KNOXVILLE.         287 

At  5.15  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  January  19th  the 
command  halted  for  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  to  allow 
time  to  rest,  build  fires,  and  make  coffee.  The  weather 
was  very  disagreeble ;  a  cold,  drizzling  rain  was  falling, 
accompanied  by  wind,  and  some  snow.  The  march  was' 
resumed  promptly  at  six  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  continued 
until  two  P.  M.  The  Holston  River  was  crossed  on 
the  railroad  bridge,  at  Strawberry  Plains.  After  our 
forces  were  all  across  the  river,  the  bridge  was  burned. 
The  roads  became  very  muddy,  and  the  rain  continued 
to  fall.  The  command  was  halted  at  McMillan's  Station 
the  night  of  the  19th,  and  permitted  to  rest  there  dur- 
ing the  20th  day  of  January. 

Early  on  the  21st  the  march  was  again  resumed, 
the  command  reaching  Knoxville  in  the  afternoon.  The 
campaign  to  Dandridge  and  return  was  a  very  trying 
one,  and  told  severely  on  the  men.  Many  were  taken 
sick  as  a  result  of  exposure  and  hard  marching.  Cap- 
tain Kyger,  among  others,  was  taken  very  sick,  and 
had  to  report  to  the  hospital.  He  was  under  the  treat- 
ment and  care  of  Dr.  Crosby  for  quite  a  long  time. 
Captain  Wallace,  of  Company  I,  was  also  ailing,  but  had 
recovered  in  some  measure,  and  was  able  to  bestow 
much  care  and  attention  upon  Captain  Kyger  before 
the  14th  of  February,  at  which  time  Captain  Wallace, 
having  been  granted  a  leave  of  absence,  started  for 
home.  The  regiment  went  into  camp  at  Lenoir's  Sta- 
tion, near  the  middle  of  February,  or  some  time  between 
the  13th  and  20th  of  the  month.  It  being  probable 
that  the  command  would  remain  at  this  point  for  some 
time,  extra  care  was  taken  in  putting  up  quarters.  After 
getting  matters  straightened  out  and  regulated,  some 
system  and  order  established,  regimental  drills  and  dress 


288  SOME  WINTER  WEATHER. 

parades  were  resumed,  after  quite  a  lengthy  interval 
of  exemption  from  such  military  duties. 

It  was  from  this  camp  that  a  great  deal  of  the  branch- 
ing-out and  going  forth  into  the  country  was  done. 
Most,  if  not  all,  these  incursions  into  the  rural  districts 
were  made  after  night ;  the  presence  of  soldiers,  as  a 
rule,  being  required  in  camp,  or  at  the  post  of  duty,  in 
day-time,  as  well  as  at  night;  but  night-time  was  the 
best  time  to  slip  off,  the  time  when  a  soldier  was  less 
liable  to  be  called  for,  or  detailed ;  and  night  was  the 
best  time,  too,  to  have  a  good  time  in  the  country. 
Colonel  Jaquess  was  present  and  in  command  of  the 
regiment  while  at  Lenoir's. 

From  March  6th,  Captain  Kyger  continued  to  im- 
prove, and  on  the  16th  he  applied  for  leave  of  absence; 
his  application,  owing  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
his  case,  was  hurried  through,  his  "  sick-leave "  was 
granted,  and  he  received  it  on  the  21st,  and  started 
from  Knoxville  early  on  the  22d  of  March  for  Illinois, 
stopping  off,  however,  at  Lenoir's,  to  make  a  short  visit 
with  the  regiment  on  the  way. 

"  Major "  Huffman  and  Abram  Jones,  of  Company 
C,  and  Commissary-Sergeant  Hoskinson,  having  been 
granted  furloughs  at  about  this  time,  accompanied  Kyger 
a  part  of  the  way  to  Illinois. 

On  March  22d  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  six  inches 
at  Lenoir's.  It  not  only  looked  but  felt  very  much  like 
Northern  winter  weather.  Events  proceeded  with  but 
slight  variation  for  the  next  three  weeks ;  things  would 
have  become  quite  monotonous,  indeed,  had  it  not  been 
that  orders  to  move  were  expected  almost  daily.  The 
expected  orders  were  received  on  April  16th.  Next 
morning  luggage  was  packed  up,  and  at  nine  o'clock  the 


PRELIMINARY  MOVEMENTS.  289 

command  inarched  away  from  Lenoir's.  The  Holston 
River  was  crossed  near  Loudon,  and  the  first  halt  and 
camp  for  the  night  was  one  mile  below  that  place. 

The  march  was  resumed  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  morn- 
ing of  April  18th ;  thirteen  miles  was  made,  and  Sweet 
Water  was  the  point  where  the  command  rested  the 
night  of  that  date.  On  the  19th,  marched  fifteen  miles, 
and  camped  for  the  night  at  Athens,  a  nice  little  town, 
the  county-seat  of  McMinn  County.  Started  early  next 
morning — at  daylight — crossed  the  Hiawassee  River  at 
Chatata,  and  camped  for  the  night  on  a  high  hill,  in 
the  vicinity  of  that  place.  An  early  start  was  made 
again  on  the  21st;  a  task-march  was  assigned  the  com- 
mand— a  given  distance,  or  point,  to  be  made  in  a  given 
time  ;  passed  through  Cleveland,  county-seat  of  Bradley 
County. 

At  a  point  nearly  a  mile  south  of  Cleveland  the 
command  encamped,  and,  it  being  ascertained  that  a 
delay  of  a  week  or  two  would  probably  be  occasioned 
by  preparations  for  the  oncoming  campaign,  quarters 
were  put  up  in  rather  better  and  more  regular  order 
than  would  have  been  done  for  only  one  or  two  days' 
stop.  Some  camp  and  other  duty  was  required  to  be 
performed  here.  Clothing  was  issued  April  27th ;  and 
the  pay-rolls  having  been  completed,  were  signed  the 
same  day.  Next  day  regimental  inspection  was  had. 
By  this  date  the  weather  had  become  quite  warm — 
April  29th — it  was,  perhaps,  seemingly  so,  when  con- 
trasted with  recent  cooler  weather.  Squads  of  refugees 
came  in  almost  daily;  they  reported  that  the  rebel  cav- 
alry were  quite  active,  scouring  the  country,  coming  up 
near  to,  but  rarely  disturbing,  our  advanced  pickets,  un- 
less first  finding  the  advantage  was  in  their  favor. 

19 


290  THE  START  FOR  ATLANTA. 

On  May  1st,  more  clothing,  hats,  and  shelter-tents 
were  issued.  The  aversion  to  the  use  of  "  purp  "  tents, 
which  exhibited  itself  the  preceding  year,  had  died  out. 
In  fact,  the  shelter-tent  had  grown  in  favor,  and  was 
regarded  as  a  friend  to  soldiers,  and  conducive  to  health 
among  them.  May  2d,  orders  were  received  to  be  ready 
to  move  next  day.  The  regiment  and  brigade  were 
ready  to  march  on  time,  May  3d,  but  did  not  get  started 
before  noon.  Got  off  promptly  at  noon,  however,  made 
good  time,  and  marched  fifteen  miles ;  then  went  into 
camp  for  the  night.  May  4th,  the  regiment  was  on  the 
way  frontward  by  daylight,  with  flankers  out  on  the 
left.  The  weather  was  quite  warm,  and  there  was 
skirmishing  in  the  advance;  but,  notwithstanding  these 
hindrances,  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles  was  made,  and 
the  command  camped  for  the  night  near  Catoosa  Springs 
in  Catoosa  County,  Georgia. 

On  the  morning  of  the  5th  the  regiment  moved  one 
mile,  passing  the  springs  on  the  way.  Before  the  war, 
these  springs  were  quite  a  resort  and  watering-place  for 
the  people.  According  to  labels,  there  was  an  assort- 
ment— about  three  dozen  kinds — of  water  at  these 
springs.  A  person  could  better  distinguish  one  kind  or 
variety  of  water  from  another  by  label,  than  by  tasting 
the  water.  Regiment  did  not  move  May  6th,  but  got 
marching  orders  in  the  evening  late,  requiring  it  to 
move  early  on  the  7th.  The  command  was  aroused 
early,  in  obedience  to  orders;  the  men  were  ready  to 
march  by  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  and 
moved  out  in  the  direction  of  Tunnel  Hill.  After  going 
about  one  mile,  regiment  was  formed  in  line  of  battle, 
and  remained  in  position  one  hour.  Some  skirmishing 
was  going  on  a  short  distance  to  our  right,  participated 


ROCKY-FACED  RIDGE.  291 

in  by  Wood's  division.  On  leaving  its  position  in  line 
of  battle,  the  regiment  encamped  for  the  night  at  the 
base  of  Rocky-faced  Ridge. 

Sunday,  May  8th,  there  being  little  prospect  of  any- 
thing to  hinder,  divine  services  were  arranged  for,  and 
a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  73d  were  in  attend- 
ance ;  but  right  in  the  midst  of  the  sermon  the  long 
roll  was  sounded,  the  meeting  closed  abruptly,  the 
men  hurried  up,  took  arms,  and  fell  in  very  promptly. 
Regiment  moved  up  to  the  foot  of  the  ridge,  and  formed 
in  line  of  battle  at  eleven  o'clock,  with  the  24th  Wis- 
consin on  its  left,  and  the  44th  Illinois  in  its  rear.  The 
regiments  named  encamped  in  this  position  for  the 
night.  Men  detailed  from  the  brigade  pulled  two  Rod- 
man guns  to  the  summit  of  Rocky-faced  Ridge,  and  got 
them  into  position. 

The  regiment  and  brigade  struck  tents  early  on 
May  9th,  and  moved  to  the  top  of  the  ridge.  The 
ridge  was  very  steep  and  rocky  in  places,  and  difficult 
to  climb.  We  moved  to  a  point  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  enemy,  but  were  only  supporting  some  of  our 
troops  immediately  to  our  front.  The  23d  Corps  moved 
to  the  left,  toward  Dalton,  and  the  rear  of  that  point. 
After  noon  the  regiment  went  part  of  the  way  down 
the  ridge,  on  east  side,  and  went  on  picket.  Returned 
from  picket  duty  early  on  May  10th,  and  were  sent  im- 
mediately to  the  skirmish-line.  Heavy  rains  fell  on  this 
date.  There  was  also  much  firing  to  our  right ;  Snake 
Creek  Gap  was  taken;  McPherson's  men  did  the  job. 
We  remained  on  skirmish-line  during  the  day — May 
llth — but  shifted  to  the  right  considerably  in  the 
meantime.  There  was  heavy  cannonading  all  along  the 
front  in  the  course  of  the  day. 


292  IMPROVISED  GLASSES. 

On  the  12th  we  moved  one  mile  to  the  left,  formed 
line  of  battle  on  the  ridge,  and  remained  in  position, 
until  the  next  morning.  Near  our  position  on  the 
ridge  was  a  point  or  elevation  from  which  the  generals 
and  other  officers  could  obtain  better  views  through 
their  field-glasses  of  movements  of  the  enemy  than 
from  any  other  in  the  immediate  neighborhood. 
Though  a  little  exposed,  this  point  was  frequently 
visited  for  the  purpose  indicated.  One  Sampson 
McCool,  of  Company  E,  provoked  a  good  deal  of  merri- 
ment by  his  clownish  personation  and  imitation  of 
officers,  by  forming  an  imaginary  glass  or  glasses  of 
his  hands,  making  the  tube,  by  bringing  the  ends  of  the 
fingers  around  to  the  palm.  Sometimes  he  would  in 
this  way  use  one  hand  only,  looking  through  with  one 
eye,  at  other  times  he  would  use  both  hands,  making 
two  tubes,  putting  one  up  to  one  eye  and  the  other 
up  to  the  other  eye ;  while  at  other  times,  if  he  wanted 
to  see  a  long  distance,  or  bring  an  object  nearer,  or 
obtain  greater  magnifying  power,  he  would  look 
through  both  hands  or  tubes  with  one  eye.  Not  only 
his  mimicry  of  movement  and  carriage  of  the  officers, 
but  his  reports  of  what  he  saw,  produced  general 
laughter.  Not  all  of  McCool's  motions  and  difficult 
postures  were  made  in  imitation  of  the  officers;  some 
of  them  were  to  signify  his  great  surprise  and  conster- 
nation at  what  he  pretended  to  see. 

Another  source  of  entertainment  at  this  same  time 
and  place  was  the  misfortune  or  mishap  which  befell 
one  of  the  cooks  who  was  carrying  two  camp-kettles 
full  of  water  up  the  side  of  the  ridge.  He  used  a  yoke 
fitting  over  the  shoulders  and  around  the  neck,  from 
the  points  or  extremities  of  which  the  kettles  of  water 


D ALTON  E  VACUA  TED.  293 

were  suspended.  The  connection  or  fastening  between 
the  yoke  and  one  kettle  snapped  asunder,  and  of  course 
both  kettles  of  water  were  spilled,  and  the  labor  in 
getting  them  almost  to  the  top  of  the  ridge  was  lost. 
The  kettles  went  bounding  down  the  ridge  striking 
against  trees  and  rocks,  and  by  the  time  they  reached 
a  stopping-place  were  very  much  dented  and  misshap- 
ened.  This  particular  cook  was  not  slow  of  speech,  as 
his  rapid  and  sarcastic  utterances  recounting  and  be- 
wailing his  luck,  and  the  hardships  of  his  position 
whije  following  up  his  two  camp-kettles,  fully  proved. 
"  The  next  time  I  go  to  war,"  said  he,  "  I  '11  go  as  a  tar- 
bucket,  then  I  '11  get  to  ride  hanging  to  the  coupling- 
pole." 

David  M.  Haworth,  of  the  3d  East  Tennessee  In- 
fantry, who  had  tarried  with  the  regiment  a  week  or 
more  in  September,  1862,  again  visited  it  a  few  min- 
utes while  on  Rocky-faced  Ridge. 

During  the  night  of  May  12th,  the  enemy  evac- 
uated his  works  and  Dalton.  Next  morning  we  moved 
out,  the  2d  Missouri  in  the  lead.  We  arrived  at  Dal- 
ton about  noon,  halted,  stacked  arms,  and  proceeded  at 
once  to  ransack  the  town.  There  was  a  quantity 
of  quartermaster  or  commissary  stores  left  at  Dalton 
by  the  retreating  rebels.  Among  other  articles  left 
were  quantities  of  tobacco,  home-made  hatchets,  pea- 
nuts, and  cigars.  Very  little  or  nothing  in  the  line 
strictly  of  war  material  did  we  find  there,  however. 
At  one  o'clock  P.  M.  we  left  Dalton  and  marched  on 
in  further  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  Quite  a  number  of 
deserters  from  the  enemy  were  caught  and  collected 
together.  We  kept  on  the  way  until  sundown,  then 
got  supper.  After  supper  we  started  on  again,  and 


294  BATTLE  OF  RESACA. 

marched  until  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.,  having  marched 
twenty  miles  since  morning.  Before  halting,  as  well 
as  after,  we  were  cautioned  to  be  very  quiet,  make  as 
little  noise  as  possible. 

On  Saturday,  May  14th,  we  were  on  the,  march  by 
six  A.  M.  On  going  three  miles  we  formed  in  line  of 
battle.  At  this  point  the  23d  Corps  came  in  on  an- 
other road,  passed,  and  went  on  to  our  right,  after 
which  we  moved  through  a  strip  of  woods  in  line  of 
battle,  came  out  into  an  open  field,  changed  front  and 
remained  in  that  position  a  short  time,  then  moved  by 
the  left  flank,  one  half  mile  across  a  little  creek,  and 
at  the  brow  of  a  hill  we  built  breastworks.  Later 
we  were  moved  forward,  by  General  Howard  in  person, 
another  half  mile.  The  rebels  gave  us  a  hard  shelling 
at  four  P.  M.  At  this  point  the  regiment  went  into 
action,  and,  on  firing  away  about  forty  rounds,  it  was 
relieved,  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  rested  quietly 
until  twelve  o'clock  midnight.  Went  to  the  front  again 
at  midnight  and  occupied  about  the  same  position  we 
had  held  in  the  afternoon.  Members  of  each  company 
were  detailed  to  do  picket  duty,  and  some  of  these 
pickets  stood  within  thirty  feet  of  the  rebel  pickets 
that  night.  On  Sunday  morning  we  were  enveloped  in  a 
heavy  fog,  but  as  soon  as  any  object  could  be  seen  to 
be  distinguished,  firing  began.  Some  of  the  73d  were 
wounded.  At  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  the  rebels  charged; 
the  44th  Illinois  was  compelled  to  give  way  to  our  left, 
and  the  73d  had  to  stand  the  charge  for  a  very  few  min- 
utes, when  the  44th  rallied  and  retook  its  position.  We 
were  relieved  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  we  then  went 
to  the  rear  and  drew  rations  ;  then  moved  up  agnin  for 
support  to  troops  in  front,  ;ind  remained  in  this  position 


THE  ENEMY  RETREATS.  295 

until  near  night.  During  the  whole  of  this  time 
there  was  heavy  fighting — firing  at  least — on  the  front 
line.  At  seven  P.  M.  we  were  moved,  and  placed  in 
position  to  support  a  battery,  commanded  by  "Leather- 
breeches."  The  casualties  in  the  73d,  up  to  and  includ- 
ing the  battles  of  Resaca,  were  six  killed  and  twenty- 
three  wounded. 

At  daylight  on  the  16th  we  found  the  rebels  had 
"pulled  up  stakes,"  and  evacuated.  At  seven  A.  M. 
we  moved  out,  and  were  put  to  our  best  speed  to  come 
up  with  the  enemy,  if  possible.  We  ascertained  that 
"Leather-breeches"  had  dismounted  two  rebel  guns  in 
the  action  of  the  15th;  as  we  advanced,  we  found 
portions  of  the  carriages.  On  moving  about  three  miles, 
we  came  up  with  the  20th  Corps,  which  had  moved 
down  the  railroad,  formed  in  line,  and  stacked  arms. 
We  rested  while  Generals  Sherman  and  Hooker  were 
talking  and  maturing  plans.  We  then  moved  up  to  the 
town  of  Resaca,  from  which  the  battles  of  the  14th  and 
15th  took  name.  A  good  part  of  the  army  had  con- 
centrated about  this  town.  The  enemy  had  burned  the 
railroad  bridge,  and  the  foot-bridge  was  still  burning 
when  we  came  up.  We  captured  a  quantity  of  corn- 
meal  buns  at  Resaca.  Our  corps  advanced  across  the 
stream,  with  our  division  in  front.  On  getting  across, 
we  formed  line  of  battle,-  and  remained  in  position 
long  enough  to  give  time  for  dinner.  We  then  moved 
forward  a  short  distance,  halted,  and  rested  until  three 
P.  M.  We  then  moved  forward  again,  the  3d  Brigade 
of  our  division  taking  the  lead  ;  skirmishing  going  on  at 
the  extreme  front  all  the  time.  We  inarched  fully  six 
miles,  and  camped  for  the  night  near  Calhoun,  a  station 
on  the  railroad. 


296 


BATTLE  OF  ADA1ESV1LLE 


Were  early  on  the  way  May  17th,  our  brigade  having 
the  advance,  with  the  36th  Illinois  on  the  skirmish-line. 
There  was  heavy  skirmishing  nearly  the  whole  day,  and 
at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  we  came  on  to  the  enemy  in  full 
force  near  Adairsville.  A  body  of  rebels  took  position 
in  an  old  stone  house,  a.nd  they  also  had  a  battery 
planted  on  a  piece  of  high  ground  in  the  road,  just  west 
of  the  stone  house.  Our  commander  had  a  section  of  a 
battery — two  Rodman  guns — brought  up  and  put  in 
position.  Two  companies — B  and  G — of  the  73d  were 
detailed  to  support  this  section  of  artillery,  with  the 

balance  of  the  regi- 
ment in  reserve.  The 
enemy  silenced  our 
section,  but  we  were 
re  -  enforced  by  o  n  e 
section  after  another, 
until  we  had  all  the  ar- 
tillery of  our  division 
(thirty-six  pieces) 
in  position  ;  then  we 
silenced  the  rebel  bat- 
tery. This  artillery 
dueling  and  firing 
was  the  sharpest  and 
closest  we  had  ever 
known;  the  rebels  did  the  best  and  most  accurate  shoot- 
ing we  had  ever  seen  them  do.  At  about  five  P.  M. 
we  were  ordered  to  the  left  of  the  road,  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  distant;  we  went  on  the  double-quick  to  protect 
our  flank.  The  object  of  this  move  being  accomplished, 
we  faced  southward,  and  Companies  B,  G,  and  K  were 
sent  out  as  skirmishers,  the  remainder  of  the  regiment 


SAM.   B.  CARVER,  COMPANY    D. 


THE  REBELS  FALL  BACK.  297 

supporting  the  skirmish-line.  Heavy  skirmishing  con- 
tinued until  dark ;  after  night-fall  we  were  relieved  by 
the  88th  Illinois,  then  withdrew,  fell  back,  and  took  in 
a  supply  of  ammunition;  then  we  went  to  the  front 
again  and  took  position,  the  right  of  regiment  resting 
on  the  main  road,  and  the  left  extended  out  to  the  cot- 
ton-gin. Heavy  firing  was  kept  up  by  the  regiment 
until  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  flashes  of  light  from  the 
muzzles  of  the  guns  serving  as  a  mark  for  each  party 
to  aim  at.  Our  regiment  lost  forty-five  men,  killed 
and  wounded,  and  the  brigade  two  hundred,  in  the  en- 
gagement at  Adairsville.  At  midnight  we  were  again 
relieved  ;  then  we  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  lay 
on  our  arms  until  morning.  There  was  no  firing  after 
midnight.  It  was  reported  at  the  time  that  the  property, 
on  which  the  stone  house  and  cotton-gin  were  located, 
was  owned  by  the  rebel  General  Hardee.  Captain 
Kyger,  of  Company  C,  who  left  the  regiment  while  it 
was  at  Lenoir's,  in  East  Tennessee,  returned  to  it 
on  this  date. 

May  18th,  the  weather  was  quite  warm.  The  sol- 
diers of  the  73d  were  up  early.  During  the  night  the 
rebels  fell  back,  and  by  seven  A.  M.  we  had  started  in 
pursuit.  Time  was  taken,  however,  to  burn  the  octagon, 
gravel-wall  house  on  the  Graves  farm  ;  also  nil  the  out- 
buildings. This  was  done  by  way  of  retaliation  for  the 
protection  these  buildings  had  afforded  the  enemy,  in 
the  fight  of  the  day  before.  We  halted  at  Adairsville 
at  ten  A.  M.,  remaining  there  until  three  P.  M.  Wood's 
division  joined  ours  at  and  near  Adairsville.  While 
waiting  at  this  point,  dinner  was  disposed  of,  and  some 
discussion  was  had  as  to  what  we  should  do  next,  it 
being  evident  we  should  do  something  soon,  or  at  least 


298  SHORT  HALT  AT  KINGSTON. 

undertake  something.  At  three  P.  M.  we  started  and 
moved  forward  seven  miles  and  camped  alongside  the  rail- 
road for  the  night.  Up  early  again  May  19th;  weather 
very  warm.  Marched  at  seven,  and  kept  marching  all 
day.  We  passed  through  Kingston,  a  small  town  in 
Cass  County,  at  eleven  A.  M.,  and  stopped  until  two 
P.  M.,  at  which  time  skirmishing  commenced  in  front. 
We  then  moved  up  four  miles,  but  did  not  get  into  the 
fight.  The  enemy,  no  doubt,  heard  we  were  coming, 
and  fell  back,  being  driven  from  our  front,  and  but 
small  loss  resulted  to  our  side.  Enemy  had  a  pretty 
strong  line  of  works  across  a  field.  Camped  four  miles 
south-east  of  Kingston. 

On  Friday,  May  20th,  we  moved  one-half  mile,  and 
went  into  camp;  the  move  being  made  to  get  a  better 
position  out  of  the  way  of  the  train.  Some  clothing 
and  shoes  were  drawn  by  each  company  of  the  regiment. 
Weather  quite  warm,  and  continued  so  during  May  21st. 
Had  no  orders.  Trains  all  up.  No  news  of  special 
importance.  Some  conjecture  and  speculation  indulged 
in  on  the  part  of  the  men,  and  perhaps  a  few  grape-vine 
dispatches  started. 

All  quiet  on  Sunday,  May  22d.  Pursuant  to  orders, 
there  was  some  overhauling  of  the  company  books  and 
rolls.  A  number  of  names  of  comrades  were  dropped 
from  the  several  rolls,  and  they  were  accounted  for  as 
killed,  missing,  or  discharged.  This  done,  it  appeared 
there  were  many  vacancies,  which  opened  the  way  for 
promotions  to  both  commissioned  and  non-commissioned 
offices.  We  have  no  data  under  this  head  for  any  of 
the  companies  except  C, and  but  little  for  that  company; 
this  little  shows  that  Orderly  D.  A.  Smith  and  Enoch 
Smith — private — were,  dropped  from  the  rolls,  and 


BRIGADE  AND  OTHER  COMMANDERS.  299 

accounted  for  as  having  been  killed  at  Chickamauga, 
Georgia.  R.  J.  Hasty  was  promoted  sergeant,  and  W. 
H.  Newlin  orderly  sergeant,  and  a  commission  as  first 
lieutenant  was  sent  for,  for  the  latter.  Said  commission, 
when  issued,  conferred  rank  from  October  24,  1863, 
and  under  a  lately  enacted  and  amended  law  we  have 
been  re-mustered,  to  date  April  30,  1864. 

At  this  same  time  and  place,  Jonathan  Ellis  was  pro- 
moted corporal,  but  was  on  picket,  and  was  not  informed 
of  his  appointment,  officially  or  otherwise,  until  he  was 
espied  returning  from  duty,  when  Alfred  E.  Lewis — 
"Jack  o'  Clubs" — in  stentorian  tones,  said,  "  Jont  Ellis, 
Jont  Ellis,  you  have  been  appointed  corporal,  and  your 
commission  has  gone  on  to  Washington  for  approval." 
In  each  company  of  the  regiment  there  were  names  of 
comrades  dropped  from  the  rolls,  and  likewise  some 
promotions. 

The  opportunity  afforded  by  this  delay  of  three  or 
four  days,  to  wash  clothing  and  clean  up,  and  set 
things  to  rights  generally,  was  duly  improved  by  the 
members  of  the  regiment.  Supplies  of  new  clothing 
were  drawn  and  considerable  repairing  of  old  clothing 
was  done.  We  had  orders  to  march  at  six  on  the 
morning  of  May  23d,  but  we  did  not  get  under  way 
until  ten  A.  M.  General  Nathan  Kimball  took  com- 
mand of  our  brigade  on  this  date,  Colonel  Sherman,  of 
the  88th  Illinois,  having  been  in  command  of  the  same 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  since  the  reorganization  of 
the  army  after  Chickamauga.  General  0.  0.  Howard 
succeeded  General  Granger  as  commander  of  the  4th 
Corps  before  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
General  John  Newton  had  succeeded  Sheridan  in. com- 
mand of  our  division.  We  passed  to  the  right  of  Cass- 


300  TRAIN-GUARD  DUTY. 

ville,  crossed  the  Etowah  River  on  a  covered  bridge  of 
considerable  dimensions,  which,  from  some  cause,  the 
rebels  failed  to  destroy  in  their  retreat.  Probably 
they  had  enough  else  to  attend  to  about  that  time. 

On  Tuesday,  May  24th,  we  got  on  the  way  by 
seven  A.  M.,  passing  through  a  nice-looking  country, 
and  at  twelve  M.  struck  a  range  of  hills  called  the 
Altoona  Mountains ;  we  had  a  hard  day's  march  of 
it,  and  went  into  camp  late  at  night.  In  the  course 
of  the  day  we  had  been  sent  to  re-enforce  train-guard 
near  Dallas;  did  not  encounter  the  enemy.  The  train 
came  back  three  miles  same  evening.  At  nine 
P.  M.,  when  we  halted,  it  was  raining  and  very  dark. 
May  25th,  we  marched  at  nine  A.  M.,  and  kept  moving 
until  noon,  then  halted  to  make  coffee;  and  just  as  it 
was  ready,  we  were  ordered  out  on  the  double-quick 
march,  to  defend  the  wagon-train.  Did  not  see  any 
special  need  of  our  services;  we  got  into  no  trouble  at 
all.  We  marched  on  with  train  until  dark,  and  camped 
near  it  and  the  mules.  The  train  was  stuck  fast  in  the 
mud,  and  blocked  the  road.  Davis's  division  hud 
passed  us  in  the  forenoon.  The  soldiers  in  Companies 
C  and  E  thus  had  a  brief  opportunity  to  see  some  of 
their  old  neighbors  who  were  serving  in  the  125th 
Illinois.  Somehow  the  train  was  extricated  from  the 
mud  by  the  morning  of  May  26th,  and  we  started  on 
with  it  at  nine  A.  M.,  but  moved  only  a  mile  when 
train  was  corraled.  At  three  P.  M.  we  went  into  camp 
for  the  night.  There  was  much  fighting  in  front  on 
this  date,  also  heavy  skirmishing  on  the  preceding 
day.  Heavy  cannonading  was  going  on  during  the 
greater  part  of  the  day,  May  27th.  The  73d  was  still 
with  the  train. 


TO  THE  FRONT  AGAIN.  301 

May  28th,  had  orders  to  move;  but  when  regi- 
ment was  ready  to  start,  the  orders  were  counter- 
manded. We  received  orders  at  noon  on  the  29th  to 
rejoin  the  brigade;  started  immediately;  found  the 
weather  very  warm  for  straightforward  marching  to 
the  front.  We  reached  the  north  bank  of  Pumpkin- 
vine  Creek,  where  the  brigade  was  in  position,  at  four 
P.  M.  During  the  afternoon  the  brigade  had  some 
heavy  skirmishing,  and  at  dark  built  works.  We 
relieved  the  15th  Missouri  on  front  line,  and  found 
our  breastworks  were  within  one  hundred  yards  of 
those  of  the  rebels.  We  were  ordered  to  watch  and 
keep  in  readiness  to  receive  a  charge,  which  was 
expected  to  be  made  at  about  midnight.  The  enemy 
charged,  as  was  expected,  along  our  whole  line,  but 
was  repulsed  in  our  front.  Each  company  sent  out 
a  "vidette,"  to  take  post  a  few  yards  in  front  as  soon 
as  the  precautionary  orders  were  received,  and  some 
of  these  came  very  near  being  captured.  After  this 
charge,  there  was  more  or  less  firing  during  the 
remainder  of  the  night.  When  both  lines,  the  enemy's 
and  our  own,  would  open  fire,  the  line  of  light  showed 
plainly  the  locality  of  and  the  angles  in  the  works. 
Distributed  along  our  brigade  front  were  twelve  or 
fifteen  pieces  of  artillery ;  these  being  double-shotted, 
besides  making  a  great  noise  and  racket,  pending  the 
repulsing  of  the  charge,  also  peeled,  splintered,  or 
cut  off  many  of  the  trees,  saplings,  and  undergrowth 
in  their  front.  On  this  date  the  effective  force  of 
the  regiment  was  twelve  commissioned  officers,  twenty- 
three  sergeants,  twenty-one  corporals,  and  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  privates ;  one  hundred  and 
eighty-three  all  told.  There  were  no  casualties  in  the 


302  NEW  HOPE  CHURCH. 

73d  resulting  from  this  night  assault  near  New  Hope 
Church. 

On  Monday,  May  30th,  we  kept  up  heavy  firing 
all  day  from  under  our  head-logs  on  the  works.  No 
casualties  reported  in  the  regiment.  The  fighting  on 
our  right  was  very  heavy.  At  dark  we  were  relieved 
and  then  retired  immediately  to  the  second  line  of 
works  and  lay  down  to  take  much-needed  rest.  The 
44th  Illinois  relieved  us.  We  remained  behind  the 
second  line  of  works  during  May  31st  until  nightfall; 
then  the  left  wing  of  the  73d  was  taken  to  relieve  the 
15th  Missouri  at  the  skirmish-pits.  The  right  wing  of 
the  regiment  remained  in  reserve  until  four  A.  M.  of 
June  1st,  being  then  sent  to  relieve  the  left  wing. 
A  steady  skirmish  fire  kept  up  the  entire  day.  Our 
works  were  being  constantly  strengthened.  We  occu- 
pied front  line  during  the  entire  day,  June  1st;  were 
relieved  at  night,  and  went  back  to  third  line  of  works, 
and  succeeded  in  getting  the  best  night's  rest  we  had 
been  able  to  get  for  some  time.  Our  position  during 
the  day  had  been  within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of 
the  enemy,  behind  very  light  earth-works.  Companies 
C,  I,  and  D  kept  low,  and  did  not  get  a  man  hurt.  In 
same  position  the  15th  Missouri  had  a  man  killed  on 
the  preceding  day.  An  irregular  understanding  or 
agreement  was  patched  up  between  the  "  Johnnies " 
and  ourselves  not  to  shoot  much  "  at  each  other." 

Had  a  heavy  rain  early  June  2d,  filling  the  trenches 
and  making  them  a  very  undesirable  place  to  crouch 
down  in;  just  as  comfortable  to  take  our  chances  with 
flying  bullets  a  little  back  of  earth-works.  It  rained 
over  on  the  "Johnnies'"  side,  too;  so  chances  and 
comforts  were  about  even  as  between  the  contending 


CALLED  OUT  EARLY.  303 

forces.  We  were  relieved  by  the  74th  Illinois ;  went 
to  the  rear  and  lay  down  to  rest  our  tired  limbs.  On 
June  3d  there  were  no  changes  in  front,  and  no  occur- 
rences out  of  the  usual  order  or  kind. 

It  was  at  about  this  time  and  place  that  a  "Johnnie 
Reb"  called  out,  asking  our  boys,  "How  much  is  gold 
worth  now  in  New  York  City?"  Very  soon  an  answer 
was  made  by  one  of  Company  I  (Turner,  we  believe), 
"  Greenbacks,  something  you  haven't  got  down  South." 
He  might  have  added  that  the  Confederate  shin-plasters 
would  never  be  redeemed  with  lead.  Inquiry  was  also 
made  about  this  same  time  by  the  rebels  if  the  73d 
Illinois  would  like  to  have  its  brass  band.  Several  pieces 
belonging  to  our  band,  and  some  of  the  musicians  prob- 
ably, had  been  captured  at  Chickamauga.  Of  course, 
generally  speaking,  we  were  endeavoring  to  recover 
all  of  our  captured,  lost,  or  stolen  property ;  if  these 
musical  instruments,  and  the  musicians  too,  could  have 
been  turned  over  to  us,  we  should  have  been  much 
pleased. 

We  were  called  out  at  three  A.  M.,  June  4th,  and 
after  taking  sufficient  time  to  prepare  coffee  and  dis- 
patch breakfast,  we  moved  out  to  the  front  line,  and 
remained  there  during  the  day.  The  rebels  in  our 
front  did  not  do  as  much  firing  as  was  usual  for  them 
to  do.  What  shooting  they  did,  was  done  with  de- 
liberation and  evident  purpose  to  hurt  somebody.  Col- 
onel Jaquess  received  orders  to  report  to  department 
head-quarters.  We  distinctly  remember  the  colonel  had 
to  crouch  and  slip  along,  and  take  some  risks  at  best, 
in  getting  back  to  the  rear.  The  colonel  was  granted 
leave  of  absence  for  thirty  days  to  report  to  A.  Lincoln, 
at  Washington.  This  was  preliminary  to  the  Richmond 


304  PINE  MOUNTAIN. 

visit.  We  were  relieved  at  eight  P.M., and  went  to 
the  rear ;  all  of  our — Kimball's — brigade  were  relieved 
and  went  into  camp.  Before  the  dawn  of  day,  June  5th, 
the  enemy  abandoned  his  works  and  left  our  front.  We 
were  ordered  to  follow  in  the  direction  of  Ack worth. 
We  took  in  a  few  prisoners  from  the  enemy's  rear 
guard — some  of  them  deserters,  probably.  We  moved 
but  a  short  distance.  Colonel  Jaquess  took  his  depart- 
ure for  Washington  City.  The  abandoned  rebel  works 
were  inspected  by  some  of  the  regimental  officers.  They 
were  indifferent  as  to  how  strong  and  impregnable  these 
works  were  found  to  be,  since  the  rebels  were  gone, 
and  we  did  not  have  to  assault  them. 

Monday,  June  6th,  was  an  exceedingly  warm  day. 
We  were  ordered  to  Ackworth ;  marched  eight  miles  to 
the  rear  of  train,  our  brigade  having  been  detailed  as 
train-guard  on  the  previous  day,  beginning  that  duty  by 
throwing  up  works  to  resist  a  dash  by  cavalry,  which 
was  a  thing  to  be  looked  for,  and  provided  against, 
after  the  bulk  of  our  army  got  away  from  the  line  of 
New  Hope  Church.  We  stopped  on  the  6th  in  the  im- 
mediate neighborhood  of  the  division  field-hospital.  We 
drew  rations  on  the  7th,  and  remained  quietly  in  camp 
that  night,  and  all  day  on  June  8th.  On  June  9th  or- 
ders were  issued  requiring  the  command  to  wash  clothes, 
and  to  clean  up  generally,  and  be  ready  to  march  at 
six  A.  M.,  June  10th,  on  which  date  it  was  expected 
the  hospital  would  move  up  nearer  the  front. 

At  daylight  on  the  10th  the  bugles  sounded  "fall  in," 
and  soon  we  were  moving  forward.  Marched  five  miles, 
and  found  the  rebels  in  a  strong  position,  and  manifest- 
ing a  determination  to  hold  it.  We  went  into  camp. 
It  rained  all  night.  We  were  located  near  Pine  Bluff, 


BISHOP  POLK  KILLED.  305 

as  we  learned  early  on  the  morning  of  the  llth.  We 
moved  out  early  on  the  llth,  and  took  position  on  the 
left  of  Stanley's  division,  in  sight  of  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain, our  brigade  being  posted  in  reserve.  June  12th, 
we  moved  nearer  the  front,  there  having  been  heavy 
skirmishing  on  the  previous  day,  which  resulted  in 
pressing  the  enemy  back  some  distance.  The  rebels 
were  in  plain  view  on  Pine  Bluff  from  our  new  position, 
and  we  were  in  plain  view  to  them;  in  consequence  of 
which  fact  we  were  changed  back  to  our  last  former 
position,  to  avoid  being  shelled.  On  this  date  there 
was  quite  a  rain-fall.  Still  raining  on  the  morning  of 
the  13th,  with  some  indications,  however,  of  slackening 
and  clearing  off.  Things  were  flooded,  and  the  weather 
becoming  much  cooler,  made  matters  somewhat  uncom- 
fortable; but  we  were  getting  used  to  that  state  of 
affairs,  and  if  anything  was  said  about  pensions,  we  do 
not  just  now  remember  it.  There  was  occasional  can- 
nonading on  our  left.  June  14th,  the  sky  clear  and 
atmosphere  cool  early  in  the  morning.  Artillery  shots 
exchanged  at  intervals  during  the  forenoon.  We  re- 
ceived orders  to  move  to  the  support  of  the  2d  and  3d 
Brigades.  This  we  did,  taking  nothing  but  guns  and 
full  cartridge-boxes.  On  arriving  at  the  point  where  it 
was  supposed  something  very  serious  would  occur,  skir- 
mishers were  thrown  out,  and  we  began  to  push  for- 
ward; moved  perhaps  one-half  mile,  then  halted,  and 
details  were  sent  back  to  bring  up  our  baggage.  Dur- 
ing the  afternoon,  much  cannonading  was  indulged  in ; 
our  guns  being  trained  on  Pine  Bluff— Pine  Mountain. 
A  shell  struck  the  rebel  General  (Bishop)'  Polk,  killing 
him  instantly.  Generals  Johnston  and  Hardee,  accord- 
ing to  one  authority,  had  very  close  calls  at  the  same 

20 


306  THE  ENEMY  RETIRES. 

time.  We  put  up  tents,  and  remained  over  night  near 
Pine  Mountain.  We  will  copy  Comrade  Cassaday's 
entry  for  June  15, 1864,  and  then  give  Captain  Kyger's 
entry  for  same  date,  just  to  show  how  perfectly  the 
two  memoranda  agree : 

"  The  rebels  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  we  made  prepara- 
tions to  follow.  The  2d  Brigade  took  the  lead;  threw  out  two 
regiments  as  skirmishers,  and  commenced  to  advance.  Our  brigade 
supported  the  2d.  We  formed  in  mass,  and  moved  forward ;  sup- 
posing we  were  going  to  charge,  we  piled  our  knapsacks  and  fixed 
bayonets  ;  moved  forward ;  found  the  rebels  in  good  works.  Then 
we  halted,  built  works,  and  drew  rations  and  lay  on  our  arms  all 
night."  (Cassaday.) 

"The  rebels  evacuated  Pine  Bluff.  We -took  a  few  prisoners. 
Advanced  at  two  P.  M. ,  about  one  and  a  half  miles.  Our  brigade 
expected  to  support  the  2d  Brigade  in  making  a  charge,  regimental 
front,  close  column,  by  divisions ;  found  works  too  strong.  Drove 
their  pickets,  and  fortified  a  line  near  them  during  the  night." 
(Kyger.) 

At  this  point  we  were  four  miles  from  Kenesaw 
Mountain.  On  the  16th  we  remained  in  the  works, 
comparatively  idle  all  day.  There  was  skirmish-firing 
all  the  time,  however,  and  one  of  Company  B  was  struck 
by  a  ball,  but  not  seriously  wounded.  One  of  Company 
I  was  shot  through  the  lungs,  and  death  resulted.  In 
this  position  we  remained  until  morning,  digging  trenches 
and  strengthening  our  works.  The  enemy  evacuated 
his  works,  and  at  daylight  of  the  17th  our  men  took 
possession  of  them.  Rain  fell  nearly  all  day  long  on 
the  16th,  and  though  this  was  some  hindrance  to  the 
operations,  skirmishing  was  persisted  in,  and  the  corps 
drove  the  enemy. 

On  the  17th  the  abandoned  works  were  found  to 
be  quite  formidable  as  against  an  assault  in  front. 
The  enemy  fell  back  only  a  short  distance ;  merely  con- 


"KEEP  YOUR  POWDER  DRY."  307 

tracting  his  line,  or  withdrawing  his  left  flank,  which 
Hooker  had  turned.  His  position  was  a  strong  one 
for  defensive  purposes,  being  made  so  in  part  by  a 
creek  affording  it  some  protection.  Our  lines  were 
formed  and  adjusted  to  meet  these  changes  ;  artillery  was 
placed  in  position,  and  began  firing  by  volley.  The 
rebels  made  no  responses.  The  14th  Corps  on  our  left 
charged,  and  took  the  enemy's  works.  We  lay  on  our 
arms  during  the  night,  resting  fairly  well,  all  things 
considered. 

It  was  raining  hard  on  the  morning  of  June  18th. 
At  eight  A.  M.  our  skirmishers  advanced,  driving  the 
enemy's  back.  We  followed  in  support  of  the  skirmish- 
ers. It  continued  raining  during  the  greater  part  of 
the  day.  Our  skirmish-line  charged  and  captured  a 
number  of  rebels.  We  advanced,  waded  a  creek  waist- 
deep;  formed  in  line  in  an  open  field ;  stopped  in  line  a 
short  time,  then  advanced  again.  There  was  heavy 
skirmishing  and  a  great  many  rebels,  and  "Yankees" 
too,  were  wounded,  the  latter  passing  to  our  rear.  After 
ten  A.  M.  we  were  again  pushed  forward  a  short  dis.- 
tance ;  waded  another  creek ;  the  rain  fell  in  torrents, 
so  it  was  all  of  a  "whatness"  anyhow — -just  as  dry  in 
the  creek  as  anywhere.  The  fighting  on  the  skirmish- 
lines,  as  far  as  noise  went,  assumed  almost  the  propor- 
tions of  a  general  engagement.  We  were  ordered  to  lie 
down,  as  the  rebel  fire  was  severe.  As  usual,  we  obeyed 
orders.  This  was  in  the  afternoon,  and  Goodrich,  of 
Company  G,  was  shot  dead  at  this  point.  We  were 
ordered  to  build  breastworks,  and  began  the  work  im- 
mediately, as  we  were  interested  in  having  them,  the 
rebel  fire  being  particularly  heavy.  One  of  Company  E — 
Peter  Conrad — was  killed  behind  these  works  just  about 


308  LOST  MOUNTAIN. 

the  time  they  were  completed.  Drew  rations,  includ- 
ing whisky,  after  holding  our  position  all  day  under  a 
heavy  fire.  Our  division  during  the  day  fired  twenty- 
five  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition,  mostly  from  the 
skirmish-line,  sixteen  thousand  rounds  of  which  were 
aimed  to  go  under  the  head-log  on  the  rebel  works,  to 
keep  the  "Johnnies"  low  while  we  built  works.  Firing 
was  kept  up  nearly  all  night.  We  remained  in  our 
works  until  morning.  In  addition  to  the  casualties 
mentioned,  as  occurring  on  the  18th,  was  at  least  one 
other,  the  wounding  of  John  Braselton,  of  Company  C. 

Captain  Kyger  being  unable  for  duty,  or  to  keep 
along  with  the  company,  got  into  an  ambulance,  June 
16th,  and  was  finally  obliged  to  go  to  the  division 
field-hospital,  where  he  remained  until  after  the  assault 
at  Kenesaw  Mountain.  His  diary,  therefore,  for  a  few 
dates,  is  not  as  full  as  it  might  have  been,  had  he  been 
present  with  regiment;  and  the  entries  made  for  these 
dates  note  chiefly  the  events  occurring  in  our  immediate 
rear.  In  the  memoranda  at  hand  there  is  no  mention 
of  Lost  Mountain.  That  being  in  the  vicinity  of  Pine 
Mountain,  we  disposed  of,  or  got  away  from,  Lost  Mount- 
ain through  pretty  nearly  the  same  maneuvers  that  en- 
abled us  to  leave  Pine  Mountain  behind.  We  had  no 
intention  of  taking  it  with  us,  anyhow. 

We  waked  up  on  the  19th  of  June,  and  found  the 
rebels  had  departed.  Our  skirmishers  immediately  ad- 
vanced, followed  by  the  main  line,  or  body  of  troops; 
the  latter  occupied  the  abandoned  works.  We  stopped 
only  a  brief  spell,  then  advanced  again  a  short  distance, 
the  36th  and  88th  Illinois  on  the  skirmish-line.  We 
halted  in  an  old  field;  while  there  it  rained  very  hard, 
for  a  change,  raising  the  waters  of  a  creek  which  we 


BEFORE  KENESAW.  309 

had  to  cross.  Our  skirmishers  became  heavily  engaged ; 
but  our  artillery  soon  got  into  position,  and  opened  on 
the  enemy  with  shot  and  shell,  and  he  had  to  continue 
falling  back.  A  halt  was  made  to  allow  time  for  din- 
ner. Moved  forward  again,  and  at  four  P.  M.  formed 
our  lines  in  front  of  Kenesaw  Mountain.  The  3d  Bri- 
gade joined  on  to  our  right,  and  the  14th  Corps  con- 
nected on  the  left  of  our  brigade.  The  44th  and  73d  were 
in  the  first  line  of  battle.  The  troops  were  to  some 
extent  massed  at  this  point,  our  brigade  having  only  a 
short  front  line  to  maintain.  We  were  within  shelling 
distance  of  the  enemy's  batteries  at  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain. On  this  date  the  division  field-hospital  was  moved 
one  and  a  half  miles  nearer  the  front.  Late  in  the  day 
we  drew  rations  of  meat  and  whisky,  and  lay  down  to 
rest.  We  got  up  early,  June  20th,  and  finished  our 
works.  Heavy  picket  or  skirmish  firing  going  on  all 
the  time.  At  ten  A.  M.  another  line  of  works  was  or- 
dered to  be  built;  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  built  the  new 
line,  completing  it  by  four  P.  M.  All  the  artillery  in 
our  corps  was  placed  in  position — some  thirty  pieces — 
and  brought  to  bear  on  Kenesaw  Mountain.  But  few 
rounds  were  fired  by  our  guns,  before  the  rebels  replied 
by  firing  a  few  shots,  which  did  some  damage.  At  six 
P.  M.  we  were  relieved  by  the  14th  Corps,  our  corps 
moving  quite  one  mile  to  the  right,  through  very  deep 
mud,  and  camped  for  the  night. 

As  soon  as  coffee  was  partaken  of,  on  June  21st — 
which  was  early  enough — our  movement  to  the  right 
was  resumed ;  but  a  halt  was  called  after  we  had  gone 
one-half  mile.  We  formed  line  in  an  open  field,  stacked 
arms,  and  waited  awhile.  Next  we  moved  forward,  and 
relieved  a  division  of  the  20th  Corps.  Were  permitted 


310  BUILT  WORKS  AT  MIDNIGHT. 

to  rest  quietly  here  a  short  time ;  then  our  division 
moved  forward,  and  drove  the  rebel  skirmishers  in,  and 
established  our  lines  within  three  hundred  yards  of  the 
enemy's  main  line  of  works.  The  3d  Brigade  was  on 
our  right.  Wood's  division  on  our  left,  and  the  44 th 
Illinois  on  the  skirmish-line,  covering  our  brigade  front. 
Neither  of  the  memoranda  at  hand  say  whether  we 
were  relieved  at  this  point  or  not;  but  we  probabty  were. 

We  had  orders,  at  four  o'clock  on  (he  morning  of 
June  22d,  to  put  on  our  cartridge-boxes  and  be  ready ; 
we  lay  in  readiness  until  noon,  and  were  then  ordered 
to  inarch  farther  to  the  right,  which  we  did,  and  relieved 
one  brigade  of  Hooker's  corps,  which  moved  on  still 
farther  to  the  right.  In  the  meantime,  the  rebels  at- 
tacked and  engaged  Hooker  in  force,  we  being  called 
to  support  one  of  his  batteries.  In  these  operations 
Hooker's  loss  was  heavy ;  ours  light.  We  moved  back 
to  our  last  former  position,  and  built  works  up  to  mid- 
night, at  which  time  we  went  to  rest,  not  being  dis- 
turbed again  until  morning. 

The  morning  of  June  23d  found  us  in  the  works 
we  had  built  during  the  night,  where  we  remained  until 
ten  A.  M.,.at  which  time  we  were  relieved  by  the  21st 
Illinois,  of  Stanley's  division.  We  then  went  a  short 
distance  to  the  rear  and  rested  until  four  P.  M.,  being 
then  ordered  to  the  front.  The  artillery  of  the  4th 
Corps  opened,  that  being  the  signal  for  our  skirmishers 
to  advance.  We  moved  forward  in  support.  Our  skir- 
mish-lines were  advanced  two  hundred  yards,  after  a 
right  sharp  fight.  At  twelve  o'clock  midnight  we  re- 
lieved the  74th  Illinois. 

The  73d  was  relieved  from  the  front  line  at  eight 
A.  M.  on  June  24th,  and  retired  to  a  line  of  works  in 


TO  MARCH  EARLY.  311 

a  valley,  where  we  remained  during  the  day.  While 
at  this  point,  Young  Bennett,  of  Company  A,  was  killed 
while  writing  a  letter  to  his  father.  At  night  we  went 
to  the  skirmish-line  again.  Through  mistake  and  haste, 
one  of  our  men  was  shot  in  the  back  by  another,  but 
the  wound  did  not  prove  fatal  at  the  time.  We  re- 
mained at  this  point  during  the  night,  and  until  four 
P.  M.  of  the  25th  of  June ;  the  firing  continued  during 
the  day,  and  at  times  was  pretty  sharp  both  ways,  Joel 
Isenburg,  of  Company  B,  receiving  a  wound,  which 
proved  to  be  a  mortal  one,  as  he  died  June  27th.  The 
88th  Illinois  relieved  us  at  nine  P.  M.  We  went  back 
to  the  second  line  of  works,  and  lay  on  our  arms  dur- 
ing the  balance  of  the  night. 

Early  on  June  26th  we  drew  rations  of  soap — none 
too  soon — and  much  clothes-washing  and  other  needful 
washing  was  done  before  night.  Comparative  quiet 
prevailed  on  the  whole  front  during  the  day.  Late  in 
the  afternoon  we  got  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  by 
three  A.M.  of  the  27th. 

It  has  already  been  shown  that  Captain  Kyger  was 
compelled  to  take  an  ambulance  on  the  16th,  in  con- 
sequence of  severe  illness.  Growing  no  better,  he  was 
placed  in  the  division  field-hospital  on  June  20th.  By 
June  25th  he  had  improved  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
be  able  to  resume  taking  notes,  and  making  entries  in 
his  diary.  For  June  25th,  hie  records  the  fact  that 
quite  a  number  of  wounded  from  our  brigade  arrived 
at  the  hospital.  For  the  26th  he  notes  the  fact  that 
orders  had  been  received  at  the  hospital  to  fit  up,  and 
make  room  to  receive  wounded,  and  in  this  connection 
states  that  the  charge  was  to  be  made  at  eight  A.  M. 
of  June  27th.  The  wounded  already  at  the  hospital 


312  THE  ASSAULT. 

were  mostly  sent  back  to  Big  Shanty,  and  other  points 
in  the  rear.  For  the  next  date — June  27th — we  copy 
the  entries  of  Cassaday  and  Kyger,  the  entry  by  the 
former  being  from  the  stand-point  of  a  participant  in  the 
charge,  and  the  entry  of  the  latter  from  the  stand-point 
.of  one  who  was  deeply  interested  in  the  outcome  of 
the  charge,  but  was  not  in  it : 

"  Ready  early.  Troops  commenced  massing  early  in  the  morn- 
ing in  our  rear,  with  nothing  but  cartridge-boxes  and  guns  with 
them.  Wood's  division  formed  in  our  rear.  We  soon  moved  out 
to  the  front ;  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  our  division  formed  to 
the  right  of  us,  Davis's  division  of  the  14th  Corps  to  the  right  of 
them.  We  all  formed  in  mass,  regiments  by  divisions  ;  each  regi- 
ment formed  in  five  lines ;  this  occurred  at  nine  A.  M.  When 
the  signal  was  given,  Forward,  the  44th  and  74th  Illinois  in  front 
of  our  brigade,  the  charge  was  made  on  quick  time,  or  run,  and 
with  a  yell  that  could  not  be  equaled ;  the  lead  came  so  thick 
that  no  troops  could  live  before  it.  Our  troops — some  of  them — 
gained  the  works,  but  not  in  sufficient  numbers  to  hold  them,  and 
were  finally  forced  to  fall  back  with  heavy  loss;  our  losses 
amounted  to  about  three  thousand  men.  After  the  charge  we  re- 
tired to  our  works.  Company  B  was  left  on  the  skirmish-line. 
The  loss  of  the  regiment  in  this  engagement  was  eight.  Company 
B  was  called  in  at  one  P.  M.,  and  joined  the  regiment  in  the 
works  which  we  had  occupied  in  the  morning.  During  [before?] 
this  charge,  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  unsling  and  pile  our 
knapsacks;  the  balance  of  the  day  was  quiet."  (Cassaday.) 

"  Division  Hospital,  Monday,  June  27,  1864- — Warm  and  clear. 
Charge  was  made  with  brigade  front  in  our  division,  and  same  in 
Davis's  division,  the  other  two  divisions  to  support  us.  2d  Bri- 
gade, 1st  Division,  4th  Corps,  was  to  lead  the  charge ;  the  2d  Bri- 
gade went  but  a  short  distance  until  1st  Brigade  was  ordered  front, 
44th  and  74th  Illinois  in  front.  Went  close  up  to  rebel  works, 
but  had  to  fall  back,  with  a  loss  in  brigade  of  about  two  hundred ; 
division,  652;  Davis's  division,  785;  125th  Illinois,  111  men,  in 
killed,  wounded,  and  missing.  General  Harker,  commanding  3d 
Brigade ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chandler,  88th  Illinois ;  Colonel  Har- 
mon, 125th  Illinois,  and  several  captains  and  lieutenants  were 
killed.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Kerr,  of  74th  Illinois,  wounded,  and, 


AFTER  THE  BATTLE.  313 

in  hands  of  enemy  ;  Henderson  Goodwin,  my  company,  wounded. 
Loss  in  regiment.,  10  —  3  killed,  7  wounded.  Our 
line  this  evening  is  at  the  same  place  it  was  this  morning.  Davis 
held  nearly  all  the  ground  gained.  The  entire  loss,  by  Sherman's 
report,  is  between  two  and  three  thousand.  Badly  managed  by 
our  generals."  (Kyger.) 

June  28th,  the  weather  was  quite  warm,  and  all  was 
quiet  along  the  lines.  The  enemy  refused,  at  first,  a 
cessation  of  hostilities,  or  a  truce  rather,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  permitting  burial  of  our  dead,  who  still  lay 
where  they  fell.  An  armistice  was  agreed  to  finally, 
and  the  work  of  burying  the  dead — which  had  begun 
to  be  a  stench,  especially  in  the  nostrils  of  the  enemy — 
was  commenced  and  continued  until  after  nightfall,  and 
completed  on  June  29th.  The  rebels  lent  a  helping 
hand  in  the  work  on  the  29th,  some  of  them  no  doubt 
wishing  they  could  bury  all  the  "  Yankees,"  and  have 
the  thing  done  with.  The  rebels  were  in  a  good  humor, 
and  groups  of  soldiers — half  and  half,  Yankee  and  Con- 
federate— were  between  the  lines,  talking  and  trading 
and  exchanging  papers;  coffee  for  tobacco,  and  tobacco 
for  coffee,  being  about  the  extent  of  the  trading  done. 
The  day — June  29th — passed  quietly  in  our  front,  but 
on  our  right  there  was  considerable  cannonading.  The 
73d  went  on  picket  at  night. 

Quiet  prevailed  on  Thursday  morning,  June  30th, 
and  continued  during  the  day.  The  weather  was  very 
warm ;  our  men  would  sit  up  on  the  top  of  our  rifle- 
pits,  and  the  rebels  did  the  same  on  theirs,  the  two 
lines  in  our  front  not  being  over  seventy-five  yards 
apart.  Our  men  and  the  rebels  agreed  to  abstain  from 
firing  during  the  day,  unless  one  side  or  the  other  un- 
dertook to  advance.  After  this  understanding,  it  was 
perfectly  safe  to  go  anywhere  about  our  lines,  either  in 


314  TRADE  AND  TALK. 

front  or  rear  of  our  works.  Rain  fell  in  the  afternoon, 
notwithstanding  which  the  pioneers  built  a  line  of  works 
on  our  left,  which  were  occupied  by  the  15th  Missouri 
and  24th  Wisconsin  regiments.  Captain  Kyger  had  by 
this  date  returned  to  the  company.  In  his  diary,  under 
date  of  June  30th,  he  reports  having  made  a  visit  early 
in  the  day  to  the  125th  Illinois,  finding  that  regiment 
within  fifty  yards  of  the  enemy's  works — rebels  and 
Yanks  throwing  stones  at  each  other.  This  writer  vis- 
ited same  regiment  June  29th,  and  was  on  that  part  of 
line  when  the  armistice  terminated,  which  termination 
was  marked  by  the  throwing  by  the  rebels  of  picks, 
shovels,  and  spades  from  their  line  over  to  our  line, 
these  implements  belonging  to  the  "Yankee"  Govern- 
ment. A  few  shots  were  exchanged  at  same  time,  in 
order  to  more  pointedly  signify  that  hostilities  were,  or 
might  be,  resumed. 

Weather  very  warm  on  July  1st,  The  work  of 
building  breastworks  was  ordered  to  be  stopped.  Some 
work  was  done  on  regimental  rolls  on  this  date.  There 
was  much  interchange  of  civilities  between  our  boys  and 
the  "Johnnies,"  some  trading,  but  mostly  conversation 
and  apparently  friendly  discussions  being  indulged  in. 
At  same  time  considerable  cannonading  was  going  on, 
both  to  our  right  and  left,  but  some  distance  away. 

At  six  A.  M.,  July  2d,  the  artillery  opened  fire  all 
along  our  lines,  and  continued  firing  for  a  half-hour,  but 
no  response  was  made  by  the  enemy.  At  seven  o'clock 
there  was  considerable  infantry  firing,  which  lasted  ten 
minutes.  This  was  part  of  a  demonstration,  which  was 
ordered  to  be  made  for  some  purpose.  The  20th  and 
23d  Corps  moved  to  the  right  during  the  afternoon, 
which  movement  necessitated  a  corresponding  movement 


ANOTHER  RETREAT.  315 

by  our  corps.  We  moved  after  night,  quietly,  in  pur- 
suance of  instructions ;  moved  one  mile  to  the  left,  how- 
ever, in  this  case  to  relieve  Wood's  division,  Stanley's 
division  relieving  ours.  We  got  into  position  at  eleven 
P.  M.,  and  remained  until  daylight,  at  which  time — 
daylight  of  July  3d — our  pickets  advanced,  and  found 
that  the  enemy  had  evacuated  his  works.  We  found 
the  works  in  our  front  very  strong,  pronounced  by  some 
to  be  "  bomb-proof."  A  number  of  Confederates  were 
overtaken  by  our  skirmishers,  and  captured. 

We  started  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  in  good  spirits 
at  seven  A.  M.  Our  progress,  however,  was  slow, 
owing  to  the  number  of  troops  endeavoring  to  pass  on 
the  same  road.  We  passed  through  Marietta  about  noon. 
This  town  is  located  near  the  base  of  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
south-east  of  the  mountain,  and  presented  an  appear- 
ance of  having  been  quite  a  thriving  town  of  perhaps 
three  or  four  thousand  inhabitants,  in  its  palmy  days. 
It  was  almost  entirely  deserted  at  the  time  of  the  ap- 
proach to  it  of  our  forces.  It  was  found  that  General 
Johnston  had  executed  one  of  his  masterly  retreats,  get- 
ting off  with  all  his  baggage  and  provisions  and  war 
material.  It  was  thought  he  might  attempt  to  make 
another  stand  north  of  the  Chattahoochie  River.  We 
went  on  south  five  miles  from  Marietta,  and  bivouacked 
for  the  night.  Late  in  the  day  there  was  considerable 
skirmishing,  and  a  number  of  deserters  were  overhauled 
and  brought  in. 

The  weather  was  very  warm  July  4th.  Our  artillery 
fired  no  salute  in  honor  of  Independence-day  specially; 
one  piece  fired  a  few  shots  at  the  enemy  at  long  range. 
At  two  P.  M.  the  74th  and  79th  Illinois  regiments 
charged,  and  drove  the  enemy's  skirmishers  back  one- 


316  THE  CHATTAHOOCHIE. 

half  mile,  suffering  only  a  slight  loss  ;  one  captain  in  the 
79th  being  wounded.  A  stray  ball  came  whizzing  back 
and  wounded  M.  Moody,  of  Company  K,  73d ;  flesh 
wound,  thigh.  A  number  of  prisoners  were  "  taken  in," 
as  a  result  of  the  charge. 

Had  orders  at  six  o'clock,  the  morning  of  July  5th, 
to  be  ready  to  march  immediately.  The  rebels  were 
again  on  the  "  go."  We  started  out  at  7.30  A.  M., 
Wagner's  brigade  in  the  front  of  division.  A  few 
"Johnnies"  wTere  captured  and  passed  to  the  rear.  We 
moved  forward  rapidly  until  getting  near  the  Chattahoo- 
chie  River,  when  the  rebels  made  a  stand  to  cover  their 
crossing.  Wood's  division  charged  them  and  captured 
one-half  of  their  oontoon  bridge,  holding(  the  ground 
gained  until  our  division  came  up  to  support,  rendering 
his  position  secure.  There  was  heavy  fighting  on  our 
right,  in  which  the  enemy  was  defeated.  The  general 
direction  of  our  movement  during  the  day,  was  to  the 
south-east,  through  heavy  forests.  We  passed  over  two 
lines  of  works  which  the  enemy  occupied  on  July  4th. 
We  struck  the  railroad  at  a  point  fourteen  miles  from 
Atlanta,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  from  Chatta- 
nooga. A  quantity  of  iron  rails  had  been  taken  up  by 
the  rebels  and  pitched  down  a  hill,  just  as  -if  the 
"  Yankees "  could  not  very  soon  place  them  on  the 
track  again.  One  achievement  of  the  73d  on  this  date 
was  the  capture  of  three  rebels — one  well  and  two  sick — 
at  a  house  where  a  squad  of  two  or  three  of  our  boys 
found  them.  Our  camp  for  the  night  was  within  one- 
half  mile  of  the  railroad  bridge,  and  to  the  left  of  it. 
The  rebels  were  reported  to  be  all  across  the  river; 
they  had  not  burned  the  railroad  bridge,  nor  taken  up 
their  pontoon  bridge  just  below.  We  had  orders  to  put 


BIRD'S-EYE  VIEWS.  317 

up  tents,  there  being  a  prospect  that  we  should  tarry 
two  or  three  days.  Our  picket-line  was  on  the  north 
or  west  side  of  river,  and  that  of  the  enemy  on  opposite 
side.  It  was  thought  our  line  covered,  or  commanded, 
pontoon  and  railroad  bridges.  Quite  a  number  of  prison- 
ers fell  into  our  hands  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

At  daylight  of  July  6th,  all  was  quiet,  but  at  six 
o'clock  our  cannon  opened  on  the  rebels  across  the 
Chattahoochie.  Some  picket  firing  was  also  indulged 
in ;  weather  very  warm  by  noon ;  a  mail  was  received. 
After  dinner,  Major  Motherspaw  and  Captain  Kyger  left 
camp,  and  went  to  the  top  of  a  high  knob  west  of  rail- 
road to  get  a  view  of  the  country  and  of  Atlanta.  At 
about  6.30  P.  M.,  they  got  a  view  of  the  city  which  it 
was  our  ambition  to  possess,  eight  and  one-half  miles 
distant  in  a  south-east  course,  and  twelve  miles  by  rail. 
The  houses  could  be  plainly  seen  and  the  brick  houses 
distinguished  from  the  frame  ones.  The  surrounding 
country  presented  an  apparently  level,  timbered  sur- 
face, but  few  farms  visible.  To  the  eastward,  some 
twenty  miles  off,  Stone  Mountain  peered  up  to  a  height 
of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  feet;  it  stood  separate 
and  alone,  looking  grandly  in  the  distance.  Before 
seven  P.  M.  the  construction  train  came  along  down  the 
railroad.  But  little  more  than  three  miles  of  track  had 
been  torn  up  by  the  enemy  below  Marietta.  It  was 
ascertained  that  the  report  that  the  rebels  were  all 
south  of  the  Chattahoochie  was  premature.  All  quiet 
at  dusk,  except  an  occasional  boom  of  cannon  away  to 
our  right.  Provisions  and  ammunition  arrived  near  the 
front  before  morning  by  rail. 

At  eight  A.  M.,  on  the  7th,  we  moved  our  camp  one 
mile  north  to  the  near  vicinity  of  Rotten  wood  Creek. 


318  VINING'S  STATION. 

Orders  were  given  to  clean  up  a  camping  ground  on 
the  side  of  a  ridge  one-quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  creek, 
a  mill  being  situated  a  little  farther  off  on  the  creek. 
Tents  were  put  up  in  order,  and  the  camp  conveniently 
arranged.  Kyger  says  of  his  quarters : 

"  Lieutenant  Newlin  and  myself  have  our  quarters  nicely  fitted 
up;  good  bunk,  and  a  leafy  shade  made  over  our  shelter  tent." 

Heavy  cannonading  began,  and  continued  for  the 
space  of  forty  minutes;  the  woods  on  opposite  side  of 
river  and  some  distance  below,  were  being  shelled,  as 
was  learned  later  on.  Colonel  Sherman,  of  the  88th 
Illinois,  still  missing  on  this  date.  Drew  rations ; 
weather  pleasant  early  on  July  8th,  Friday;  all  quiet;  no 
orders  received,  nor  any  news  from  the  right  of  army 
until  evening,  when  word  came  that  the  23d  Corps  had 
moved  from  the  extreme  right  to  our  left,  and  in  its 
new  position  was  about  four  miles  distant  from  our  posi- 
tion. Our  whole  division  (2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps) 
was  encamped  near  Vining's  Station  on  this  date,  our 
camp  being  above  the  station. 

For  July  9th  and  subsequent  dates,  until  the  recon- 
noissance  to  Roswell,  and  the  return  to  the  camp  near 
Vining's  Station  is  described,  we  shall  copy  the  entries 
in  Cassaday's  and  Kyger's  memoranda : 

"  July  9,  1864- — Ordered  to  march  at  five  A.  M.,  and  to  leave 
tents  standing;  take  nothing  but  blankets  and  haversacks.  Had 
a  hard  march,  several  men  sun-struck.  Struck  Roswell,  Georgia, 
about  four  P.  M.  Camped  and  got  supper  ;  after  which  we  waded 
the  Chattahoochie  River.  At  this  point  it  is  one-fourth  of  a  mile 
wide,  and  two  to  three  feet  deep,  the  water  running  over  a  nearly 
flat  bed  of  rocks,  which  made  it  very  difficult  to  wade,  on  account 
of  slipping  on  rocks,  besides  the  force  of  the  current.  After  crossing 
we  relieved  the  cavalry  from  picket  for  the  night."  (Cassaday.) 

"  Vining's  Station,  Georgia,  Saturday,  July  9,  1864- — Clear  and 
pleasant.  Five  A.  M.,  received  orders  to  march  in  half  an  hour; 


MARCH  TO  ROSWELL.  319 

2d  Division  all  going;  marched  at  7.30,  going  in  a  nearly  due 
north-east  course.  Twelve  M.,  extremely  warm ;  several  sun-struck  ; 
two  deaths  in  division  from  it.  Afternoon,  we  took  it  more  mod- 
erate. At  4.45  P.  M.  came  in  sight  of  the  Chattahoochie  River. 
Fully  two-thirds  of  division  had  to  straggle ;  I  never  have  been  so 
hot.  Five  P.  M. ,  we  halted  near  Roswell ;  got  our  suppers ;  then 
we  marched  through  town  and  down  to  the  river,  wading  in  three 
different  places ;  1st  Brigade  farthest  up ;  then  one-eighth  mile 
below  the  2d  Brigade,  and  about  same  distance  below  it,  the  3d 
Brigade  crossed.  We  took  off  our  pants  and  socks,  putting  on  our 
shoes  again,  and  at  7.15  P.  M.  Company  C  took  water;  the  deepest 
places  were  about  three  feet  deep ;  width  of  stream  about  one-fourth 
of  a  mile ;  rapid,  rough  and  rocky  bottom.  We  baited  in 
line  of  battle  on  south  bank,  about  one  mile  from  river,  at  8.45 
P.  M.;  orders  to  lie  down  and  pass  the  night  near  our  guns.  This 
we  are  glad  to  do,  as  we  have  traveled  sixteen  miles,  and  are 
very  tired.  Roswell  is  a  small  manufacturing  village,  twelve  miles 
north-east  of  Marietta.  Some  nice  frame  and  brick  dwellings  set 
back  from  the  streets,  in  nice  shady  groves;  they  look  decidedly 
inviting.  Wilder's  brigade  of  mounted  infantry  came  in  without 
resistance  on  the  7th.  Burnt  part  of  the  factories.  There  were 
over  eight  hundred  girls  in  town ;  want  to  go  North ;  a  squad  of 
them  were  sent  to  Marietta  to-day  in  the  supply-train.  Wilder's 
brigade  dismounted  and  crossed  the  river  at  daylight  this  morning, 
not  meeting  but  about  sixteen  rebs.,  who  seemed  to  be  [posted]  for 
a  lookout;  they  fled  without  resistance.  Grape-vine  says,  23d 
Corps  has  crossed  below."  (Kyger.) 

"  July  10, 1864' — Lay  in  camp  until  four  P.  M. ,  when  we  were 
relieved  by  the  16th  Corps  ;  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  camped 
for  the  night."  (Cassaday.) 

"  One  and  one-half  miles  south  of  Roswell,  on  South  Bank  of  Chatta- 
hoochie River,  Sunday,  July  10,  1864- — Rained  a  little  during  the 
night ;  very  pleasant  this  morning ;  all  quiet  at  6.30  A.  M.  Wilder 
is  said  to  be  five  miles  to  front  of  us.  Ten  A.  M.,  Lieutenant 
Wolgermuth  and  myself  went  blackberrying  ;  have  orders  to  throw 
up  earth-works  to  resist  an  attack  if  made ;  I  have  charge  of  the 
working  squad.  Received  orders  at  four  P.  M.  that  we  would  be 
relieved  by  the  16th  Army  Corps,  and  to  be  ready  to  march. 
Relief  came  at  six  P.  M.;  66th  Illinois  relieved  73d  ;  12th  Illinois 
and  81st  Ohio  relieved  74th  and  36th  Illinois.  We  only  went  to 
the  rear  about  three  hundred  yards,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 


320  RETURN  TO  ROSWELL. 

All  quiet  to  the  front;  no  reliable  news  from  the  right;  rained 
quite  a  heavy  shower  in  afternoon."     (Kyger.) 

"July  11, 1864. — Lay  in  camp  till  three  P.  M.;  weather  foggy; 
recrossed  the  river  and  went  into  camp  below  Roswell."  (Cassa- 
day.) 

"  Bivouac  South  of  Roswell,  Georgia,  Monday,  July  11,  1864- — 
Foggy ;  drizzled  rain  a  little  during  the  night.  No  orders  to  move 
at  7.30  A.  M.;  11.30  A.  M.  had  orders  to  move  at  12  M. 
Crossed  the  river  on  a  foot-bridge;  halted  on  a  nice  ridge  one- 
half  mile  south  of  Roswell,  at  two  P.  M.,  with  orders  that  we 
would  not  move  farther  to-night.  Very  hot ;  all  quiet.  R.  J. 
Hasty  and  myself  went  to  look  at  the  town.  Found  the  ruins  of 
three  factories  on  the  banks  of  a  nice  rapid  stream,  Vicker  Creek ; 
the  largest  one  was  four-stories  high  ;  all  the  wood-work  burned 
out  and  the  machinery  scattered  over  the  ground  as  it  would  fall 
when  the  wood  burned  from  under  it.  The  most  extensive  fire 
was  Baron  and  King.  King  left  but  a  few  days  before  the 
'Yankees'  burned  his  factories.  He  is  an  Englishman,  and 
claimed  protection  under  the  English  colors.  The  men  he  had  left 
were  arrested.  The  capacity  of  the  different  factories  was  great 
enough  to  employ  twelve  hundred  hands.  There  are  still  about 
four  hundred  women  that  have  not  been  sent  North.  Our  move- 
ment, and  that  of  the  23d  Corps,  to  the  rebel  right,  caused  them 
to  fall  back  across  the  river  and  burn  the  railroad  bridge  on  the 
night  of  the  9th  inst.  The  14th  Corps  saved  one  rebel  pontoon 
bridge ."  (Kyger. ) 

"  July  12,  1864- — Ordered  to  return  to  our  old  camp  ;  arrived 
in  camp  at  four  P.  M."  (Cassaday.) 

"  Near  Hoswell,  Georgia,  Tuesday,  July  12,  1864- — Received 
orders  to  march  at  seven  A.  M.;  are  to  go  to  our  camp,  left  on 
the  9th ;  marched  at  eight  A.  M.  Cloudy  and  quite  pleasant ; 
marched  slowly,  and  halted  often  for  rest.  Took  the  river  road, 
arriving  at  our  old  camp  near  Vining  Station  at  four  P.  M.  The 
1st  and  3d  Divisions  of  the  4th  Army  Corps  have  moved  up  the 
river  about  four  miles.  We  will  be  likely  to  join  them  to-morrow. 
No  further  news,  only  a  confirmation,  that  the  rebels  are  all 
across  the  river.  Drew  some  clothing."  (Kyger.)  . 

The  weather  was  very  warm  on  July  13th.  Had 
orders  to  march  early  in  the  day,  and  moved  out  at  ten 
A.  M.  First  Brigade  in  rear  of  division.  After  march- 


ACROSS  THE  CHATTAHOOCHIE.  321 

ing  two  miles  in  a  north-east  course,  we  came  to  the 
Chattahoochie  River,  which  we  crossed  by  means  of  a 
pontoon  bridge  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  steps 
long.  This  was  at  eleven  A.  M.  We  passed  the  head- 
quarters of  the  1st  and  3d  Divisions  south  of  the  river. 
Halted  one  and  one-half  miles  south-east  of  bridge,  on 
a  ridge,  with  orders  to  fortify,  which  we  did  by  erect- 
ing a  good  line  of  works  facing  northward  at  right 
angles  with  the  main  works  of  corps.  We  were  acting 
as  flankers,  or  protecting  flank  of  the  army. 

July  14th,  the  weather  was  fair;  the  regiment  went 
on  picket  at  ten  A.  M.,  and  relieved  the  44th  Illinois. 
Did  not  get  the  lines  fully  established  until  about  sun- 
down. There  were  some  cavalry  pickets  a  short  dis- 
tance to  our  front.  Our  pickets  connected  on  our  left 
with  those  of  the  23d  Corps.  Cannonading  could  be 
distinctly  heard  over  on  the  extreme  right  of  the 
army.  The  sky  became  cloudy,  and  at  dark  a  heavy 
rain  set  in. 

Rain  had  ceased  by  the  morning  of  the  15th. 
Cannonading  could  be  heard  in  the  direction  of  and  a 
little  to  the  right  of  Atlanta.  All  was  quiet  in  our 
front,  and  at  eleven  A.  M.  we  were  relieved  from 
picket  by  the  88th  Illinois.  Returning  to  camp,  we 
fitted  up  in  a  manner  indicating  a  longer  stop  than  was 
made  at  this  point.  No  news  except  grape-vine  dis- 
patches. Rations,  including  some  whisky,  were  drawn. 
While  at  this  place  we  were  in  Fulton  County,  Georgia. 

On  July  16th  it  was  understood  the  17th  Corps 
crossed  the  Chattahoochie  at  Roswell,  and  that  the 
15th  Corps  was  marching  to  Roswell  to  cross.  We 
had  no  news  as  to  the  enemy's  movements  on  this  date. 
On  Sunday,  July  17th,  orders  were  issued  requiring  all 

21 


322  AT  "BUCK  HEAD." 

the  men  to  remain  in  camp  and  prepare  for  inspection. 
Were  inspected  by  Captain  Lacon  at  six  P.  M.  The 
weather  had  become  much  cooler  on  this  date.  There 
.were  strong  and  growing  indications  of  an  early  move- 
ment. 

July  18th,  we  received  orders  to  march  at  five  A.  M., 
but  did  not  move  until  6.30,  taking  the  direct  road  to 
Atlanta.  Founfl  no  signs  of  an  infantry  force  of  the 
enemy.  The  3d  Brigade  of  our  division  in  front.  The 
125th  Ohio  and  3d  Kentucky  were  on  the  skirmish- 
line.  At  8.30  the  rebels  opened  on  us  with  one  piece 
of  artillery,  and  our  battery  then  went  to  the  front,  be- 
gan work,  and  the  rebel  piece  ceased  firing.  At  11.30 
it  was  discovered  that  the  rebels  had  fallen  back.  Our 
loss  was  four  men  wounded.  Colonel  Opdycke's  horse 
was  shot.* 

Our  brigade  moved  forward  at  twelve  o'clock  noon, 
and  crossed  Nance's  Creek.  On  the  south  bank  of  this 
stream  the  enemy  had  a  battery  posted  early  in  the 
day.  It  was  ascertained  that  the  forces  engaged  with 
ours  on  this  date  were  Williams's  cavalry.  Skirmish- 
ing at  the  front  continued.  We  pressed  on,  and  at  two 
P.  M.  reached  a  place  designated  "Buck  Head,"  a 
cross-roads,  six  and  one-half  miles  from  Atlanta.  One 
store-house  and  probably  two  or  three  other  buildings, 
including  dwelling-houses,  were  all  the  town  contained. 
We  met  only  slight  resistance  to  our  advance  during 
the  afternoon,  the  enemy  yielding  and  falling  back  to 
within  six  miles  of  Atlanta. 

Ordered,  that  we  bivouac  for  the  night.  The 
pioneers  were  actively  engaged  "throwing  up"  works; 


'This  was  before  Opdycke  and  the  125th  Ohio  came  to  our  brigade. 


CROSS  PEACH-TREE  CREEK.  323 

we  could  hear  the  noise  of  their  axes  being  plied  vig- 
orously, as  late  as  10.30  P.  M.  The  4th  Corps  only 
was  moving  on  the  "  Buck-head  "  road.  Drizzled  rain 
during  the  night. 

Orders  were  issued  requiring  the  73d  Illinois  and 
24th  Wisconsin  to  move  at  five  A.  M.,  of  July  19th, 
and  make  a  reconnaissance  up  Peach-tree  Creek.  Got 
started  by  six  A.  M.,  and  moved  eastward  one  and  one- 
half  miles,  bearing  southward,  on  road,  when  Companies 
B,  G,  and  K,  of  the  73d,  were  ordered  out  as  skirmish- 
ers. When  matters  were  properly  adjusted,  we  pushed 
forward  rapidly  some  two  miles,  through  woods,  striking 
the  enemy  in  force,  taking  him  by  surprise.  Some 
skirmishing  took  place,  but  none  of  the  73d  were  killed 
or  wounded;  but  quite  a  loss  was  inflicted  on  the 
enemy,  as  he  was  thoroughly  surprised.  After  this 
little  scout  and  skirmish,  we  returned  to  our  bivouac, 
and  remained  there  until  six  P.  M.,  when  our  brigade 
and  division  marched  southward  on  the  Atlanta  road, 
halting  at  Peach-tree  Creek  to  get  supper.  Wood's 
division  was  already  across  Peach-tree  Creek  and  had 
met  a  pretty  stubborn  resistance,  but  the  enemy  had  to 
yield.  Our  forces  captured  a  lieutenant-colonel,  a  major, 
a  captain,  and  forty  privates  or  enlisted  men.  Some  time 
after  supper,  at  about  ten  P.  M.,  we  marched  across 
Peach-tree  Creek  on  a  bridge  which  the  pioneers  had 
constructed  at  same  point  where  the  old  bridge  had 
been  burned.  We  took  position  five  miles  from  Atlanta 
and  one-half  mile  from  bridge,  on  the  south  bank  of 
Peach-tree  Creek.  We  relieved  Wood's  division,  occu- 
pying a  line  of  works  which  it  had  erected  on  east  side 
of  the  road.  Cleburne's  division  of  Hardee's  Corps 
was  said  to  be  to  our  front. 


324  BATTLE  OF  PEA CH- TREE  CREEK. 

Weather  pleasant  on  the  morning  of  July  20th.  The 
rebels — Cleburne's  division — close  in  our  front,  throwing 
balls  over  our  heads  from  their  skirmish-line.  Had 
orders  to  march  at  five  A.  M.  Some  hopeful  ones 
thought  Atlanta  would  be  ours  by  night-fall  of  the  21st. 
At  six  A.  M.  we  changed  position,  and  relieved  the  3d 
Division  again  ;  3d  Division  moved  to  the  left.  Our 
lines  lacked  nearly  a  half  mile  of  connecting  on  our 
right  with  left  of  20th  Corps.  The  space  was  filled  at 
noon,  or  partially  so,  and  a  forward  movement  made  by 
our  division,  in  connection  with  20th  Corps  at  12.45 
P.  M.,  driving  the  rebels  from  their  works.  At  2.15 
P.  M.  our  brigade  moved  forward  about  three-quarters 
of  a  mile,  halted  a  short  time,  and  then  the  15th  Mis- 
souri and  73d  Illinois  were  ordered  forward,  with  in- 
structions to  go  as  far  as  we  could.  We  went  only 
about  one-quarter  of  a  mile  before  we  could  plainly  see 
the  enemy's  rifle-pits,  from  which  he  began  to  fire  at 
us.  We  halted  and  hastily  put  up  breastworks.  Part 
of  the  regiment  held  position  in  a  garden.  The  strik- 
ing of  balls  against  the  garden  fence  made  quite  a 
rattling,  disagreeable  noise.  The  firing  on  our  left  by 
the  enemy  became  so  severe  that  our  forces  were  driven 
back.  At  the  same  time  heavy  firing  opened  on  our 
right,  from  20th  Corps.  Orders  came  for  us  to  fall 
back,  which  we  did  immediately,  taking  position  on  the 
extreme  right  of  the  4th  Corps,  to  protect  its  flank  and 
fill  or  cover  a  space  between  us  and  the  left  of  20th 
Corps.  By  this  time  it  was  three  P.  M.  and  the 
battle  raged  desperately.  Hooker's  skirmishers  were 
pressed  back;  so  were  the  skirmishers  on  the  left 
of  our  division.  It  was  thought  for  a  time  that 
we  would  be  compelled  to  fall  back,  as  the  rebels 


HOOD  IN  COMMAND.  325 

passed  our  right  flank,  but  we  held  our  position, 
delivering  a  destructive  enfilading  fire  on  the  enemy, 
both  as  he  advanced  on  Hooker  and  as  he  re- 
treated across  the  open  field  in  Hooker's  front.  The 
rebels  were  punished  severely.  Hooker  followed  them 
up,  and  changes  were  made  in  position  of  troops  so 
as  to  effectually  close  the  gap  between  the  4th  and 
20th  Corps.  During  the  engagement  the  73d  was 
unprotected  by  works.  The  firing  continued  quite  a 
while  after  the  repulse  of  the  rebels,  but  was  less 
severe,  being  delivered  principally  by  their  skirmishers 
and  sharp-shooters.  A  shot  from  the  latter,  it  is  sup- 
posed, wounded  both  the  writer  and  William  Mar- 
tin, of  Company  C.  In  making  the  reconnoissance  just 
before  the  engagement  became  general,  one  of  Com- 
pany G  was  killed — George  C.  Daerfler.  The  rebels 
were  repulsed  at  all  points,  and  their  losses  were  ex- 
tremely heavy.  In  Butterfield's  front  six  hundred 
rebel  dead  were  found.  The  total  losses  of  the  enemy 
were  estimated  as  high  as  five  thousand,  including  killed, 
wounded,  and  captured.  The  Federal  losses  aggregated 
two  thousand  in  all,  including  the  slightly  wonnded. 

The  persistency  and  desperateness  of  the  fighting 
on  the  part  of  the  rebels  is  mainly  accounted  for  by 
the  fact  that  this  battle — Peach-tree  Creek — was  the 
first  one  occurring  after  the  accession  of  General  J.  B. 
Hood  to  the  chief  command  of  the  Confederate  army. 
The  victory  was  regarded  as  a  complete  one  for  our 
forces.  The  losses  of  the  73d  in  this  action  were  one 
killed  and  eight  wounded.  Our  troops  advanced  and 
occupied  the  enemy's  works.  The  73d  fell  back  a 
short  distance  at  dark,  and  cooked  supper,  and  then  re- 
turned to  the  works  at  eight  P.  M.,  after  thoroughly 


326  McPHERSON  KILLED. 

cleaning  and  putting  guns  in  order.  The  time  up  to 
near  midnight  was  spent  in  strengthening  the  works. 
After  midnight  we  lay  down  on  our  arms,  within  hear- 
ing of  the  groans  of  the  wounded  and  dying  on  the 
field.  Our  position  was  four  and  one-half  miles  from 
Atlanta. 

All  quiet  on  the  morning  of  July  21st.  The  rebels 
were  only  one  fourth  of  a  mile  to  our  front  in  a  line 
of  works.  The  day  was  spent  in  burying  the  dead ; 
both  our  own  and  the  rebel  dead.  It  was  a  big 
job,  requiring  a  heavy  detail  during  the  forenoon 
to  complete  it.  Picket  firing  was  resumed  before 
noon,  and  kept  up  during  the  remainder  of  the 
day.  All  the  men  were  in  "good  cheer"  over  yester- 
day's successes.  Early  on  July  22d  it  was  discovered 
that  the  rebels  had  withdrawn  from  their  new  line  in 
our  front.  Hooker's  men  moved  promptly  at  eight 
A.  M.  Our  division  moved  at  eleven  A.  M.,  with  our 
1st  Brigade  in  rear.  It  was  not  long,  however  until  it 
was  represented  at  the  front  by  the  36th  Illinois, 
skirmishing  within  two  miles  of  Atlanta.  In  our  move- 
ment we  passed  a  nice,  large,  bay  horse,  lying  dead  in 
the  road,  which  was  said  to  have  been  the  rebel  Gen- 
eral Stephenson's.  It  was  conceded  by  the  enemy  that 
General  Stephenson  was  killed.  The  Atlanta  papers 
contained  this  admission.  Our  forces  met  with  a  very 
serious  loss  on  this  date.  General  James  B.  McPherson, 
while  riding  not  far  from  the  head  of  a  column  of  his 
(17th  Corps)  troops,  was  shot  dead.  His  body  was,  how- 
ever, saved  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

There  was  much  skirmishing  along  our  entire  front, 
some  of  it  very  heavy,  and  the  rebels  kept  throwing 
solid  shot  at  intervals  during  the  day  from  their  bat- 


LOGAN'S  MATCHLESS  SERVICES.  327 

teries  near  the  city.  Not  only  solid  shot,  but  shells 
were  kept  flying  and  bursting  over  and  around  us  while 
engaged  in  building  works.  By  night-fall  we  had  a 
line  formed  about  two  miles  from  the  city  of  Atlanta, 
running  circuitously  around  it.  Commencing  on  the 
right,  and  resting  on  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  Rail- 
road, was  the  position  of  the  14th  Corps  ;  the  20th  Corps 
to  the  left  of  the  14th;  then  the  4th,  15th,  16th,  17th, 
and  23d  Corps  in  their  order,  the  left  of  the  23d  Corps 
resting  on  or  near  the  Augusta  and  Atlanta  Railroad. 
This  line  was  fortified  by  heavy  earth-works,  and  artil- 
lery was  placed  in  all  commanding  positions.  The  enemy's 
line  of  defenses  was  over  a  hajf  mile  to  our  front. 

From  our  position  we  could  distinctly  hear  the 
heavy  firing  away  to  our  left  in  the  direction  of  Deca- 
tur,  which  was  being  done  by  the  15th,  16th,  and  17th 
Corps  in  repulsing  persistent  and  repeated  onslaughts 
by  the  enemy.  The  desperateness  and  fury  of  the 
rebel  charges  was  equaled  only  by  the  perseverance, 
bravery,  and  grand  steadiness  of  the  soldiery  in  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  inspired  and  directed  by  the 
magnificent  leadership  of  LOGAN,  and  further  stimulated 
and  impelled,  if  possible,  by  the  watchwords  "McPher- 
son  and  revenge."  The  4th  and  23d  Corps  escaped, 
or  rather  missed,  the  enemy's  assaults  of  this  date;  but 
for  their  exemption  in  this  case  they  paid  fully,  a  few 
months  later,  at  Franklin,  Tennessee. 

July  23d,  our  position  was  nearly  two  miles  north 
of  Atlanta.  We  remained  in  our  works  all  day.  We 
occupied  our  time  in  making  our  works  stronger,  and 
digging  our  trenches  deeper.  The  enemy  kept  sending 
shells  and  solid  shot  at  us  during  the  day ;  the  solid 
shot  varying  in  size  from  twelve  to  sixty-four  pounders. 


328  BEFORE  ATLANTA. 

General  Rousseau  arrived,  to  take  command,  as  was 
supposed,  of  a  body  of  cavalry  going  on  a  raiding 
expedition  to  the  rear  of  Confederates.  General  McPher- 
son's  remains  were  sent  to  Ohio  on  this  date.  Early  in  the 
morning  of  July  24th  it  was  cool  enough  to  make  fire 
essential  to  comfort;  accordingly,  the  cooks  had  many 
inspectors  of  their  way  of  doing  things  before  breakfast. 
The  shelling  was  kept  up  constantly  during  the  day, 
and  was  indulged  in  by  both  armies.  At  night  we  could 
trace  the  passage,  or  course,  of  the  enemy's  shells  through 
the  air  by  the  light  of  the  burning  fuse;  sometimes 
quite  a  lengthy  line  or  streak  of  light  marked  the  course 
of  passing  shells.  Many  shells  burst  near  us,  or  over 
us;  but,  luckily,  there  were  no  casualties  in  the  regi- 
ment. Under  cover  of  night,  we  advanced  our  line  of 
works  one  hundred  yards,  which  was  the  only  advance 
made  on  this  date.  The  artillery  dueling  continued 
during  the  night.  The  picket-firing  was  also  very 
steady. 

Weather  cool  again  early  July  25th.  The  regiment 
went  to  the  picket-line  at  7.30  A.  M.,  and  relieved  the 
15th  Missouri ;  our  sentinels  were  about  two  hundred 
yards  from  the  rebels.  There  was  a  constant  inter- 
change of  shots  between  the  pickets  of  the  two  armies. 
Our  lines  were  advanced  during  the  night  quite  two 
hundred  yards;  a  heavy  earth-wTork  was  erected,  and 
sharpened  pickets  and  brush  were  placed  a  few  rods  in 
front,  and  extending  back  nearly  to  the  embankment. 
Our  defenses  once  completed,  the  rebels  might  assault, 
or  not,  as  they  chose ;  we  were  ready  in  either  case. 

Still  cool  early  in  the  morning  of  July  26th.  We 
were  relieved  from  picket  by  the  88th  Illinois,  and  we 
then  retired  to  the  front  line  of  works,  and  remained 


LOSSES  IN  BA  TTLE.  329 

there  until  ten  A,  M.,  when  our  brigade  was  relieved 
by  the  3d  Brigade,  when  we  moved  one-half  mile  to  the 
rear,  and  posted  as  reserve  to  the  division.  Tents  were 
put  up,  although  it  was  not  intimated  that  we  should 
remain  in  this  position  any  given  time.  In  diary  at 
hand — Kyger's — we  find  the  following  extracts  from 
General  Thomas's  official  account  of  the  actions  of  20th 
and  22d : 

"In  the  battle  of  20th.  in  which  the  20th  and  one  division  of 
4th  Corps  were  engaged,  also  a  part  of  14th  Corps,  total  Union 
loss,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  1,733.  In  front  of  the  20th 
Corps,  there  were  put  out  of  the  fight  6,000  rebels;  563  of  them 
were  buried  by  our  own  troops;  250  additional  were  buried  by  the 
rebels  themselves.  The  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps,  repulsed 
seven  assaults  of  the  enemy,  with  slight  loss,  which  must  swell  the 
rebel  loss  much  beyond  the  6,000.  Prisoners  captured,  300,  and 
seven  stands  of  colors.  No  report  from  the  14th  Corps  received. 
In  the  battles  of  the  22d,  Union  loss,  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  3,500,  and  ten  pieces  of  artillery.  Rebel  loss,  prisoners 
captured,  3,200;  known  dead  in  front  of  15th,  16th,  and  one 
division  of  17th  Corps,  2,142.  The  other  division  of  17th  Corps 
repulsed  six  assaults  of  the  enemy  before  it  fell  back,  which  will 
swell  the  rebel  loss  in  killed  to  at  least  3,000.  There  were  cap- 
tured from  the  enemy  in  this  battle  eighteen  stands  of  colors  and 
5,OOQ  stand  small  arms. 

"By  order  MAJOR-GENERAL  THOMAS." 

With  the  exception  of  picket-firing,  all  was  quiet 
the  night  of  July  26th.  Occasional  artillery  shots  were 
exchanged,  with  little  or  no  damage  to  us.  On  July 
27th  we  were  still  in  reserve  to  division.  A  drizzling 
rain  fell  early  in  the  day.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
moved  past  our  camp,  going  to  the  right;  it  struck 
tents  at  four  A.  M.  The  movement  was  made  in  exe- 
cution of  another  of  General  Sherman's  flanking  opera- 
tions. The  troops  and  trains  of  the  Army  of  the  Ten- 
nessee occupied  the  whole  day  and  part  of  the  night  in 


330  FIGHTING  ON  THE  RIGHT. 

passing.  We  received  orders,  during  the  afternoon,  to 
be  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice,  but  to  leave 
tents  standing.  The  order  grew  out  of  what  was  termed 
a  "picket  scare."  We  did  not  move;  at  night  all  was 
quiet.  During  the  day  there  was  much  heavy  cannon- 
ading going  on  away  to  our  right.  It  was  on  or  about 
this  date  that  the  artillery,  by  direction  of  General 
Sherman,  commenced  dropping  shell  into  Atlanta  at  the 
rate  of  fifty  or  sixty  per  hour,  day  and  night.  The 
train  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was  still  passing 
our  camp  early  July  28th.  In  our  front  all  was  quiet, 
except  picket-firing.  There  was  no  news  from  the  right 
wing.  Heavy  fighting  was  going  on  in  that  quarter,  as 
evidenced  by  the  unmistakable  sounds  of  cannonading 
and  musketry.  It  was  on  a  previous  date,  about  this 
time,  that  General  John  M.  Palmer  made  a  record  that 
did  not,  or  does  not,  commend  itself  to  the  favorable 
consideration  of  many  of  his  fellow-officers  and  soldiers. 
It  is  thought  that  timely  co-operation  by  General  Pal- 
mer with  General  Schofield  might  have  prevented  the 
sacrifice  of  many  lives  in  the  operations  of  the  day. 
At  about  this  date  General  Stanley  assumed  command 
of  the  4th  Corps;  General  Howard  taking  leave  of  the 
corps,  on  assuming  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee,  in  the  following  order : 

"OFFICIAL   EXTRACT. 

"HEADQUARTERS  4xn  ARMY  CORPS,       » 
"  NEAR  ATLANTA,  GEORGIA,  July  26,  1864.  J 

"  Having  been  assigned  to  another  command,  the  duty — by  no 
means  a  pleasant  one — devolves  upon  me  to  take  leave  of  a  corps 
that  I  have  learned  to  love  and  trust.  The  time  of  our  service 
together  has  been  short,  but  crowded  with  remarkable  events. 
The  words  Dalton,  Resaca,  Adairsville,  Kingston,  Cassville,  Dallas, 
Kenesaw,  Smyrna  Camp-ground,  and  Peach-tree  Creek,  suggest 
to  us  fields  of  conflict,  more  or  less  severe,  where  we  have  buried 


CHANGES  OF  COMMANDERS.  331 

many  an  endeared  comrade ;  where  you  have  won  honor  for  your- 
selves, and  where  the  enemy  has  learned  anew  to  fear  and  respect 
the  power  of  the  Government  for  which  we  fight.  It  is  with  pain 
that  I  realize  my  inability  to  reward  your  cheerful  devotion  to 
duty,  your  arduous  and  prolonged  labor,  and  your  uncomplaining 
sacrifices.  I  heartily  appreciate  the  constant  co-operation  of  the 
division  commanders,  and  the  cheerful  manner  in  which  they  have 
sustained  me,  and  in  which  they  have  been  sustained  by  their 
officers.  To  them,  and  through  them  to  their  commands,  I  tender 
my  warmest  thanks  and  unqualified  commendation.  No  officer 
could  have  received  more  ready  and  untiring  assistance  from  his 
staff  than  I  have  from  mine.  To  them,  also,  I  say  I  am  more  than 
gratified.  Believing  from  my  heart  that  our  cause  is  right  and 
just  before  God,  as  I  take  leave  of  you,  I  commend  you  to  His 
blessings,  and  trust  he  will  assist  our  armies  to  complete  the  work 
he  has  enabled  them  so  gloriously  to  bring  to  the  present  stage  of 
success. 

(Signed,)     "  O.  O.  HOWARD,  Major-General  Commanding. 

"Official:   E.  D.  MASON,  Acting  Adjutant-General." 

Before  the  reception  and  reading  of  this  order,  a  con- 
gratulatory order  from  General  Sherman  had  been  re- 
ceived, and  read  to  us  the  night  of  July  26th.  It  dwelt 
chiefly  on  the  success  at  the  battle  of  Peach-tree  Creek. 

General  Jeff  C.  Davis  succeeded  General  Palmer  in 
the  command  of  the  14th  Army  Corps.  At  about  same 
time  General  Hooker,  feeling  himself  aggrieved  by  the 
advancement  of  General  Howard  to  the  head  of  the 
Army  of  the  Tennessee,  asked  to  be  relieved  from  his 
command,  which  request  was  granted,  and  General  Will- 
iams was  assigned  to  command  the  20th  Army  Corps 
for  the  time  being.  General  Kimball,  our  brigade  com- 
mander, was  taken  from  us,  and  placed  in  command  of 
the  1st  Division,  4th  Army  Corps.  Colonel  Opdycke,  of 
the  125th  Ohio,  became  our  brigade  commander,  ?it  the 
same  time  his  regiment  also  becoming  part  of  our  brigade. 

At  sunset  of  28th  we  made  a  feint  to  our  front,  to 
draw  the  attention  of  the  enemy  from  that  part  of  the 


332  ON  THE  EXTREME  LEFT. 

line  where  Schofield  and  Logan  were  operating.  We 
returned  to  camp  at  ten  P.  M.  Nothing  of  importance 
transpired  on  our  part  of  the  line  on  July  29th.  The 
usual  artillery  and  picket  dueling  was  indulged  in.  The 
same  is  all  there  is  to  report  for  the  30th,  except  a  re- 
port that  the  23d  Corps  was  going  from  our  extreme 
right  around  to  our  extreme  left.  The  data  at  hand 
does  not  disclose  any  information  as  to  whether  this 
move  was  made  or  not;  but  it  must  have  been,  as  ap- 
pears later.  There  was  seemingly  an  unnecessary  amount 
of  marching — going  from  one  wing  or  flank  to  the  other 
so  often. 

On  the  31st  we  policed  our  quarters  and  camp,  and 
had  preaching  at  eleven  A.  M.,  by  Chaplain  Jaquess,  of 
the  73d.  All  the  news  received  from  points  in  our 
line  seemed  to  be  of  an  encouraging  character.  There 
was  unusual  quiet  during  the  entire  day,  Sunday,  July 
31st.  The  25th  Illinois  received  orders  to  proceed  to 
the  rear,  preparatory  to  going  to  some  point,  to  be  mus- 
tered out  of  service.  Captain  Kyger  accompanied  the 
25th  as  far  as  department  hend-quarters.  This  was  on 
the  1st  day  of  August,  at  which  time  the  73d  was  two 
miles  north  of  Atlanta.  Late  in  the  afternoon  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  march,  and  to  leave  tents  standing. 
Started  at  six  P.  M.,  marched  about  four  miles  to  the 
extreme  left,  and  relieved  the  23d  Corps,  which  is  to 
go  to  the  extreme  right.  We  got  into  a  good  position 
behind  a  strong  line  of  works,  shortly  after  nine  P.  M. 
This  move  placed  us  one  mile  north-east  of  Atlanta. 
Tuesday,  August  2d,  many  of  the  division,  as  oppor- 
tunity offered,  went  to  a  house — styled  the  Howard 
house — on  top  of  which  was  a  lookout,  and  obtained  a 
good  view  of  the  city  of  Atlanta,  and  of  the  surrounding 


A  RELIC  SECURED.  333 

fortifications.  But  few  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen  in 
the  fortificatipns,  which  presented  an  appearance  of  being 
very  formidable.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  Wilder's 
brigade  of  mounted  infantry  came  up  and  formed  on  our 
left.  Cannonading  away  to  the  right  could  be  heard, 
but  it  was  thought  there  was  nothing  like  a  general 
engagement. 

On  August  3d  we  remained  quietly  behind  our 
works,  awaiting  the  turn  of  events.  It  was  thought 
the  rebels  were  moving  to  their  left,  and  the  heavy 
cannonading  in  the  direction  of  our  right  made  it  seem 
reasonable  that  such  was  the  case.  At  one  point  in 
our  line  of  breastworks  a  good  view  of  part  of  the 
city  of  Atlanta  could  be  obtained.  A  few  officers  of 
the  regiment  ventured  as  far  around  to  our  left  as  the 
Decatur  and  Atlanta  Railroad.  Kyger  secured  a  relic 
in  the  shape  of  a  fragment  of  a  burst  twenty-pounder 
Parrott  gun,  which  belonged  to  the  15th  Indiana  battery; 
it  was  a  relic  of  the  engagements  of  July  22d.  A 
reconnoissance  was  made  by  two  regiments  of  the  1st 
Division.  After  driving  the  rebels  from  their  skirmish 
pits,  the  two  regiments  at  dark  fell  back.  The  only 
word  received  from  the  right  wing  was  that  the  23d 
Corps  had  not  yet  got  into  position.  An  old  lady  and 
two  girls  came  into  our  lines  and  passed  through  our 
regimental  camp.  They  desired  to  be  sent  to  Nash- 
ville. According  to  their  representations,  the  inhab- 
itants of  Atlanta  were  in  a  destitute  condition. 

On  August  4th  we  moved  farther  to  the  left,  near 
the  extreme  flank  of  the  army ;  made  this  move  late  in 
the  day,  carrying  planks  and  boards  along,  and  resting 
on  them  during  the  night.  Next  day  we  arranged  and 
policed  our  camp.  At  one  P.  M.  there  was  a  call  for 


334  SOME  CANNONADING. 

forty  men  and  two  officers  from  the  regiment  to  go  on 
picket.  Captain  Kyger  and  Lieutenant  Dodge  were 
the  officers  detailed.  The  detail  was  posted  on  the 
Decatur  and  Atlanta  Railroad.  A  regiment  from  the 
1st  Division  made  a  reconnoissance  in  front  of  our 
pickets,  going  one-half  mile  to  the  front,  driving  the 
rebels  into  their  main  line,  then  returning  without  suf- 
fering any  loss.  Another  detail  from  the  73d,  in  charge 
of  Lieutenant  Van  Winkle,  went  out  at  dark  and  re- 
lieved the  pickets  which  were  posted  at  two  P.  M. 
Except  the  usual  artillery  and  picket  firing,  all  was 
quiet  at  the  close  of  the  day. 

At  seven  A.  M.,  of  the  6th,  we  had  a  report  that 
the  rebels  were  massing  on  our  left.  A  part  of  our 
forces  fell  back  on  our  left,  in  order  to  protect  that 
flank.  At  noon  we  were  required  to  be  under  arms 
ready  for  an  emergency.  Late  in  the  evening  our 
lines  were  advanced  after  a  sharp  skirmish,  which 
caused  quite  an  excitement  for  the  time  being.  The 
railroad  bridge  across  the  Chattahoochie  was  com- 
pleted, and  the  first  train  passed  over  it  on  this  date. 
The  train  brought  to  the  front  three  thirty-two-pound 
siege-guns,  to  be  placed  in  front  of  the  right  of  the 
4th  Corps.  The  7th  of  August  passed  quietly  with 
us,  but  there  was  cannonading  on  the  right.  August 
8th  there  was  heavy  cannonading  again  on  our  right. 
The  Montgomery  and  Atlanta  Railroad  was  said  to  be 
commanded  or  reached  by  our  artillery,  and  our  forces 
were  reported  to  be  but  little  more  than  a  half  mile 
from  it.  Heavy  rains  fell  during  the  day,  also  at 
night.  Tuesday,  the  9th,  our  artillery  all  joined  in  a 
general  bombardment  of  Atlanta,  dropping  shells  into 
the  city  at  the  rate  of  sixty  per  minute  part  of  the 


CLOSE  TO  THE  FORT.  335 

time.  No  news  from  the  right  wing.  On  the  10th 
we  drew  rations.  It  rained  during  the  afternoon. 
Heavy  cannonading  continued  during  the  day. 

Thursday,  August  llth,  weather  very  warm. 
Captain  Kyger,  on  account  of  being  unable  to  talk, 
went  to  division  hospital  to  see  Dr.  Pierce.  Finding 
the  doctor  had  gone  to  the  brigade,  Kyger  rode 
around  to  the  right  as  far  as  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta 
Railroad,  where  he  saw  a  train  of  cars  and  some  thirty- 
two-pounder  siege-guns,  four  in  number.  The  20th  Corps 
was  holding  the  line  at  the  railroad;  the  1st  Division 
to  the  right,  and  the  2d  and  3d  to  the  left  of  the 
railroad.  The  20th  Corps  skirmishers  were  within 
one  hundred  yards  of  a  rebel  fort,  so  near  that  the 
rebels  could  not  use  their  artillery  without  unduly 
exposing  their  gunners.  Kyger  returned  to  division 
hospital,  and  remained  until  sunset;  then  went  on  to 
the  regiment,  arriving  at  eight  P.  M.  He  stated  that 
Lieutenant  Newlin  was  getting  on  finely,  and  would 
return  to  the  regiment  in  a  few  days.  Five  rebel 
deserters  came  in  on  the  Atlanta  and  Augusta  Rail- 
road, where  a  portion  of  the  73d  was  standing  picket. 
No  information  that  was  deemed  reliable  or  valuable 
was  obtained  from  these  deserters. 

On  Friday,  the  12th,  we  received  notice  that  we  would 
be  paid  off  within  ten  days.  Another  reconnoissance 
was  made  the  evening  of  this  date ;  the  rebels  were 
driven  within  their  main  line  of  works  again,  the  loss 
to  our  side  being  one  killed  and  three  wounded. 
William  R.  Cook,  a  recruit  assigned  to  Company  C, 
reported  for  duty  at  nine  P.  M.  On  Saturday,  August 
13th,  Major  Motherspaw  and  Captain  Kyger  started  to 
the  division  hospital;  meeting  Doctor  Pierce  on  the 


336  RELIEVED  THE  CAVALRY. 

way,  they  got  their  prescriptions.  Kyger  went  on  to 
the  hospital  to  get  them  filled,  Motherspaw  waiting 
for  Kyger  at  the  ambulance  train,  when  they  returned 
to  the  regimental  camp  at  twelve  o'clock  noon.  During 
the  whole  of  this  date  an  unusual  quiet  prevailed  up  to 
nine  P.  M.,  when  the  artillery  around  our  entire  front 
opened  on  the  city  of  Atlanta.  The  rebels  replied 
but  feebly,  throwing  some  shot  and  shell  into  our 
camp ;  mortally  wounding  one  man  of  the  88th  Illinois, 
also  one  cavalryman  immediately  to  the  left  of  the 
the  78(1.  The  rebels  continued  their  fire  up  to  eleven 
P.  M.  only;  the  "Yanks"  kept  on  firing  away  until 
morning.  It  was  a  grand  sight  to  see  the  shells  strike 
their  long  curved  lines,  made  visible  by  burning  fuse, 
as  they  sped  to  the  doomed  city. 

Sunday,  August  14th,  inspection  of  arms  by  com- 
panies was  had;  quiet  prevailed  during  the  entire  day; 
there  was  little  news,  except  a  report  that  Wheeler's 
rebel  cavalry  were  making  a  raid  north  of  the  Chatta- 
hoochie  River.  In  the  afternoon  late,  the  cavalry  on 
our  left,  were  ordered  out,  which  gave  a  color  of  founda- 
tion to  the  report.  Next  morning,  August  15th,  the 
regiment  was  ordered  out  on  picket  before  breakfast, 
to  relieve  the  cavalry.  After  going  about  one-quarter 
of  a  mile,  a  detail  of  sixty  men  was  made  for  picket, 
the  balance  of  the  regiment  returning  to  camp.  On 
this  date,  some  women  refugees  came  in.  Orders  were 
issued  requiring  roll-call  each  morning  and  evening,  for 
the  purpose  of  preventing  the  men  going  away  any  con- 
siderable distance  from  camp. 

August  16th,  Lieutenant  Newlin  reported  for  duty. 
Weather  was  very  warm  and  news  scarce  on  this  date. 
At  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  we  received  orders  to  pack  up, 


THE  TRAIN  TO  THE  REAR.  337 

and  be  ready  to  move  immediately.  Very  soon,  we 
were  in  readiness  ;  orders  came  specifying  that  we  would 
move  one  thousand  yards  only,  to  the  left,  to  fill  the 
space  vacated  by  the  cavalry.  We  moved,  taking  all 
our  traps  along,  and  getting  to  rest  shortly  after  eleven 
P.  M.  The  sixty  men  put  out  on  picket  on  the  15th, 
were  relieved  by  another  detail  from  the  73d  before 
dark  on  the  16th. 

Captain  Kyger  could  talk  only  in  whispers  on  the 
17th,  that  being  the  twelfth  day  of  his  disability  in 
that  way ;  his  health  otherwise  pretty  fair.  Kyger 
and  his  lieutenant  put  up  their  shelter-tent,  and  then 
put  a  shade  over  it,  making  their  quarters  very  pleasant. 
The  regimental  wagon  came  up  at  noon,  and  brought 
blanks  and  papers.  Some  work  was  done  on  the  pay- 
rolls in  the  afternoon;  also  much  done,  in  fixing  up 
camp,  by  the  men.  Near  night  it  was  thought  there 
were  strong  indications  of  massing  in  our  front  on  the 
part  of  the  rebels,  and  the  prospect  for  a  battle  seemed 
good.  Teams  and  wagons  were  all  ordered  to  the  rear. 
We  were  up  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,' 
according  to  orders.  Cannonading  and  musketry  were 
both  pretty  heavy  on  the  right  wing.  The  regimental 
wagon  started  back  to  Vining  Station.  William  R.  Cook 
went  with  it,  sick.  Orders  for  all  to  remain  closely 
about  camp  were  enforced.  Kyger  was  regimental 
camp  officer;  the  camp  was  in  a  splendid  place,  and  was 
cleaned  up  nicely,  and  put  in  tiptop  order,  under  Kyger's 
direction  during  the  forenoon.  After  sleeping  at  inter- 
vals along  in  the  afternoon,  Kyger,  at  about  4.30  P.  M., 
heard  a  squad  at  regimental  head-quarters  talking  as  he 
thought  about  a  grape-vine  dispatch.  Although  he  felt 

unusually  stupid  and  bad,  Kyger  went  up  to  hear   the 

22 


338  WE  BREAKFASTED  EARLY. 

news.  Captain  Patten  accosted  him  pretty  sharply 
thus:  "Say!  why,  Cap.,  you  are  asleep"  Kyger 
answered  immediately,  "  I  am  not,"  which  were  the  first 
words  he  had  spoken  above  a  whisper  for  thirteen  days. 
It  was  an  agreeable  surprise  to  Kyger  to  find  he  could 
talk  again. 

There  were  yet  some  indications  of  an  attack  by 
the  enemy  in  our  front.  Five  outpost  or  advance 
pickets  of  the  21st  Illinois  were  "  taken  in  "  by  the 
rebels  on  the  night  of  the  17th.  They  probably  mistook 
the  rebels  to  be  an  expected  relief  approaching  them. 
Twenty  men  of  the  regiment  were  put  on  picket  north 
of  the  railroad,  and  instructed  to  keep  a  sharp  lookout 
for  rebels  during  the  night. 

The  entire  regiment  was  up  at  three  A.  M.  of  19th, 
as  ordered,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  any  emergency. 
Breakfast  was  over  and  out  of  the  way  by  four  o'clock. 
There  was  heavy  cannonading  along  the  greater  part  of 
our  lines ;  fires  were  built  very  early  along  our  front 
left  flank,  for  quite  a  distance,  to  convey  the  impression 
that  we  had  received  re-enforcements.  At  day-break 
we  were  ordered  to  fall  in;  we  moved  a  short  distance 
to  our  right,  behind  breastworks,  remaining  there  until 
five  P.  M.;  then  moving  a  little  farther  to  the  right,  re- 
maining until  dusk;  then  we  returned  to  camp.  All  these 
movements  were  made  to  draw  attention  of  enemy  from 
a  movement  by  our  right  wing  to  strike  the  Atlanta 
and  Montgomery  Railroad.  Heavy  firing  was  kept  up 
along  our  front,  the  skirmishers  were  pushed  forward, 
and  a  support  kept  in  sight  where  the  rebels  could  see 
it,  was  the  demonstration  made.  Very  warm  weather 
and  showers  of  rain  in  the  afternoon. 

We  were  up,  and  had  breakfast  over  by  3.30  A.  M. 


RE-ENFORCEMENTS.  339 

of  August  20th.  Building  of  fires  and  marching  of 
troops  were  again  resorted  to,  to  deceive  the  enemy. 
This,  of  course,  was  before  daylight.  Later,  the  44th 
and  73d  moved  to  the  extreme  left,  and  took  position 
on  the  Atlanta  and  Decatur  Railroad,  built  fires,  and 
created,  or  sought  to  create,  a  false  impression  as  to 
our  force  there.  The  1st  Brigade  of  1st  Division  threw 
out  and  advanced  skirmishers,  to  feel  the  enemy ; 
found  plenty  of  rebels;  they  retired  behind  their  main 
line  of  works ;  but  the  object  of  the  reconoissance  was 
effected  with  only  the  loss  of  four  men  wounded  on 
our  side.  We  were  relieved  by  1st  Brigade,  1st  Divis- 
ion, and  returned  to  camp  by  10.30  A.  M.  All  quiet 
along  the  lines.  Showers  of  rain  fell  at  intervals 
during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  At  four  P.  M.  of 
this  date  Orderly  Sergeant  Wm.  M.  Sheets  and  Privates 
John  Doop  and  Thomas  Judd,  of  Company  C,  returned 
to  duty,  all  in  good  health.  At  dusk  Private  Walter 
W.  Scott,  of  same  company,  returned  to  duty.  These 
men  had  come  up  from  hospitals  in  the  rear,  some  as 
far  back  as  Chattanooga.  It  was  stated  that  the  return 
of  these  men  increased  the  number  of  guns  in  Com- 
pany C  to  fourteen,  which  would  indicate  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the  regiment  present  for  duty 
on  this  date.  All  quiet  during,  the  evening  and  still 
raining  at  nine  P.  M. 

The  weather  was  much  cooler  August  21st,  Sunday. 
Had  company  inspection  at  ten  A.  M.  There  was  no 
disturbance  of  any  kind  on  the  lines  in  our  front  on 
this  date.  The  men  of  the  regiment  were  recalling  the 
fact  that  it  was  two  years  since  the  date  of  our  muster 
into  the  United  States  service.  Some  gratification  was 
expressed  over  the  fact  that  two-thirds  of  our  term  of 


340  THE  WORKS  STRENGTHENED. 

service  had  expired.  Nothing  was  said  about  veteran- 
izing; there  was  time  enough  yet  for  that,  and  no  use 
of  declining  to  re-enlist  until  an  opportunity  to  do  so 
was  afforded. 

All  quiet  on  Monday,  August  22d.  Thirty  men  of 
the  regiment  went  on  picket  at  seven  A.  M.;  Kyger 
in  charge,  and  Captain  Ernst,  of  the  15th  Missouri,  in 
command  of  all  the  pickets  from  our  brigade.  There 
were  no  visible  signs  of  the  enemy.  General  Kilpatrick 
and  command  returned  from  a  raid  he  had  been  making 
in  the  enemy's  rear  on  or  about  this  date;  it  was  re- 
ported he  had  cut  the  Macon  Railroad.  News  of  the 
crossing  of  James  River  and  the  capture  of  one  thou- 
sand prisoners  by  Grant's  army  was  received.  Zenas 
H.  Fulton,  of  Company  C,  was  put  on  picket  post  on 
this  date,  for  the  first  time,  he  having  previously  been 
an  attache  of  the  regimental  hospital. 

The  detail  from  the  73d  was  relieved  from  picket 
at  7.30  A.M.  on  August  23d.  The  day  was  spent  in 
strengthening  the  breastworks,  and  putting  an  abattis 
in  front,  some  two  rods  in  width,  consisting  of  brush 
with  all  the  larger  limbs  and  branches  sharpened,  the 
points  arranged  and  placed  so  as  to  make  it  a  slow  and 
tedious,  as  well  as  dangerous,  business  to  get  through  it. 

Weather  much  cooler  on  August  24th.  The  boys 
gathered  closely  around  camp-fires  early  in  the  morning. 
At  six  A.  M.  a  heavy  detail  was  made  to  work  on  the 
breastworks.  The  work  continued  until  noon,  but  was 
not  resumed  after  dinner.  The  work  already  done,  in 
this  instance,  as  in  many  others,  did  us  no  good,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  as  a  preventive  or  "  bluff."  The  prospect 
of  a  move  became  very  flattering.  All  extra  baggage 
and  the  sick  were  ordered  to  the  renr.  In  this 


BATTLE-FIELD  OF  PEACH-TREE.  341 

connection,  it  is  recorded  that  we  had  peach-pies,  both 
for  dinner  and  supper,  on  this  date;  the  first  of  the 
season.  Several  times  during  the  day,  heavy  smoke 
could  be  seen  rising  from  Atlanta.  It  was  supposed 
our  bursting  shell,  or  burning  fuse  of  shell,  set  fire  to 
houses  in  the  city.  Shortly  after  night-fall,  we  drew 
rations. 

Thursday,  August  25th,  was  a  quiet,  beautiful  day, 
and  continued  so  throughout.  This  was  regarded  as 
somewhat  ominous  or  indicative,  and  at  about  five  P.  M. 
we  received  orders  to  be  ready  to  march.  Two  or 
three  hours  later,  under  cover  of  darkness,  we  very 
silently  withdrew  from  our  line  and  filed  out,  the  73d 
in  the  rear  of  the  brigade,  followed  by  the  1st  Division, 
4th  Army  Corps,  and  then  the  3d  Division  marched 
out,  giving  up  our  entire  line  to  the  left  of  the  20th 
Corps.  Our  4th  Corps  took  the  road  leading  past  corps 
head-quarters,  and  on  over  the  battle-field  of  July  20th, 
It  was  about  midnight  when  we  passed  over  the  field 
of  Peach-tree  Creek.  Notwithstanding  more  than  a 
month's  time  had  gone  by  since  the  fighting  of  that 
sanguinary  battle,  the  stench,  as  borne  to  us  by  the 
midnight  air,  was  awfully  offensive,  almost  strangling 
to  us.  On  getting  away  from  the  battle-field,  we 
changed  direction  and  went  south-westward,  crossing  the 
Chattanooga  and  Atlanta  Railroad,  and  halting  in  the  rear 
of  the  right  division  of  the  20th  Corps  at  four  A.  M.  of  the 
26th,  having  marched  about  eight  or  nine  miles.  At  break 
of  day,  we  hastily  made  dispositions  for  a  brief  rest ; 
we  were  all  very  sleepy  and  tired.  We  were  allowed 
to  sleep  until  after  sunrise ;  then  a  breakfast,  con- 
sisting of  "  hard-tack,"  "  sow-belly,"  and  coffee,  was  par- 
taken of.  Our  position  and  that  of  the  20th  Corps, 


342  HOT  WEATHER— SUNSTROKES. 

both  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Sand  Town  road,  the  20th 
Corps  having  marched  all  night  as  well  as  the  4th,  was 
discovered  by  the  enemy,  whereupon  a  few  shells  were 
thrown  at  us. 

At  eight  A.  M.  our  brigade  took  a  position  on  the 
flank  facing  northward,  and  was  ordered  to  throw  up 
works,  as  a  report  that  the  rebels  were  advancing  on 
us  had  been  received.  The  73d  was  sent  out  as  skir- 
mishers; but  soon  after  getting  deployed,  and  before  ad- 
vancing very  far,  we  were  ordered  to  rejoin  the  brigade. 
We  returned  immediately  to  the  point  where  we  had 
left  the  brigade,  but  did  not  find  it  there.  The  division 
had  been  called  to  move  hastily  to  the  right.  We  then 
followed  the  3d  Division.  The  weather  was  very  hot, 
and  a  number  of  soldiers  fell  behind  their  commands. 
We  caught  up  with  the  brigade  at  three  P.  M.  There 
were  five  or  six  cases  of  sunstroke  in  brigade;  none  in 
our  regiment,  however.  Just  as  we  overtook  the  bri- 
gade, it  was  starting  out  again  after  a  rest  of  several 
minutes,  which  placed  us  at  somewhat  of  a  disadvan- 
tage, the  weather  considered,  not  having  had  a  rest  and 
having  been  obliged  to  hurry  up  besides.  A  heavy  rain 
fell  during  the  afternoon,  cooled  the  atmosphere,  and 
facilitated  our  marching.  We  continued  on  in  a  south- 
west direction,  to  the  rear  of  our  line  of  works,  encir- 
cling Atlanta. 

After  marching,  altogether,  fully  nine  miles,  we  halted 
before  sunset  in  the  rear  of  the  23d  Corps.  The  73d 
was  very  nearly  "played  out,"  only  about  six  or  eight 
men  to  each  company  stacking  arms  when  first  halted. 
The  men  kept  coming  up  and  reporting  until  as  late  as 
9.30  P.  M.  Nicholson,  Jones,  and  Judd,  of  Company  C, 
failed  to  get  up  until  next  day.  All  seemed  to  be  at 


SHERMAN  OPERA  TINO.  343 

a  loss  to  understand  the  movement  being  made,  and 
there  was  a  great  deal  of  conjecture  in  regard  to  it  on 
the  part  of  the  "  rank  and  file." 

The  20th  Army  Corps  went  back  to  the  Chatta- 
hoochie  River  to  guard  the  railroad  bridge.  The  lines 
as  originally  held  about  Atlanta,  were  relinquished  by 
the  evening  of  this  date,  as  far  as  the  right  of  former 
position  of  the  20th  Corps,  the  16th  Corps  holding  the 
extreme  left  of  the  army.  It  was  rumored,  and  gen- 
erally credited,  that  all  the  troops  to  the  left  of  the  23d 
Corps  would  move  to  the  right  during  the  night.  Great 
activity  on  the  part  of  our  arrny  was  anticipated ;  and 
it  was  supposed  that  this  activity  would  necessitate  a 
like  activity  on  the  part  of  the  rebels,  whether  they 
gave  up  their  stronghold  or  not.  We  were  aware  that 
so  far  on  the  campaign,  these  "  flanking  operations  "  had 
invariably  accomplished  something,  if  not  precisely  the 
result  intended. 

We  slept  until  sunrise  of  August  27th.  A  light 
shower  of  rain  fell  at  daybreak,  which  was  not  altogether 
without  an  invigorating  effect.  We  had  orders  to  be 
ready  to  move  at  eight  A.  M. ;  but  when  that  hour  ar- 
rived, we  were  notified  that  we  should  probably  not 
move  before  noon.  A  heavy  and  long  train  of  wagons 
kept  moving  to  the  right ;  otherwise  all  was  quiet.  At 
3.30  P.  M.  we  started  out  again,  moving  in  a  south- 
westerly direction,  crossing  the  Sand  Town  road,  and  not 
halting  until  after  dark.  Our  stopping-place  was  within 
two  and  one-half  miles  of  East  Point,  on  the  Atlanta 
and  Montgomery  Railroad.  We  formed  line  of  battle, 
and,  being  ordered,  we  proceeded  to  fortify.  Our  brigade 
was  on  the  extreme  right  of  division,  and  formed  the 
flank  facing  nearly  due  westward. 


344  FLANKING  OPERATION. 

The  14th,  15th,  16th,  and  17th  Corps  had  all  moved 
to  the  right,  leaving  the  23d  Corps  the  extreme  left  of 
the  army.  We  soon  had  a  line  of  works  thrown  up  in 
a  nice  grove,  and  then  we  lay  down  to  sleep.  We  learned 
the  20th  Corps  had  been  attacked  by  the  enemy's  in- 
fantry in  force,  and  that  the  attack  had  been  hand- 
somely repulsed ;  but  of  the  extent  of  loss  to  the  20th 
Corps  we  were  not  apprised.  Our  corps — 4th — all  got 
into  position  during  the  day  and  early  night,  encounter- 
ing only  such  resistance  as  small  bodies  of  cavalry 
could  offer. 

We  were  up  early — by  daylight — on  the  28th,  and 
finished  our  breastworks  before  breakfast.  There  were 
no  signs  of  an  attack ;  the  prospect  was  rather  that  we 
should  be  called  on  to  change  our  position ;  accordingly, 
at  seven  o'clock  we  received  orders  to  be  ready  to 
march  immediately.  At  this  early  hour  all  was  quiet, 
except  an  occasional  shot  on  the  picket-line,  and  the 
noise  and  clatter  of  axes  energetically  plied  by  men  at 
work  on  the  fortifications.  We  moved  out  at  two  P.  M., 
to  the  south-west,  quite  three  miles,  and  bivouacked  for 
the  night  in  a  dense  forest ;  it  was  with  difficulty  that 
we  made  our  way  through  the  woods.  It  was  8.30 
P.  M.  when  we  finally  halted.  There  was  very  little 
skirmishing  during  the  day,  but  slight  opposition  being 
made  to  our  movement.  Our  location  was  thirteen  miles 
south-west  of  Atlanta. 

We  were  all  up  by  break  of  day,  on  Monday,  August 
29th ;  got  breakfast  before  sunrise,  and  then  drew 
rations,  which  was  construed  as  indicative  of  an  early 
movement.  The  next  thing  was  orders  to  move ;  we 
moved  promptly  at  seven  A.  M.,  going  to  the  front  and 
right.  The  73d  took  position  in  second  line  of  battle, 


AFTER  THE  FORAGERS.  345 

in  rear  of  the  44th  Illinois.  Our  division  joined  the 
right  of  23d  Corps ;  the  1st  Division — Kimball's — next 
to  our  right,  and  3d  Division  held  the  right  of  position 
assigned  to  the  4th  Corps,  the  last-named  division  being 
nearly  all  across — east — of  the  Atlanta  and  Montgomery 
Railroad.  Four  miles  of  the  railroad  were  torn  up  dur- 
ing the  forenoon ;  the  ties  were  burned,  and  the  rails 
were  heated  and  bent  and  twisted  out  of  shape.  The 
14th  Corps  held  the  lines  to  the  right  of  the  4th.  A 
very  strong  line  of  works  was  in  process  of  erection, 
during  the  day,  along  the  4th  Corps  front.  Not  very 
far  to  the  front  of  our  advance  pickets,  a  squad  of  rebel 
cavalry  tried  hard  to  "take  in"  a  party  of  foragers 
belonging  to  the  90th  Ohio.  There  were  twenty-one 
men  in  the  foraging  party,  and  they  all  got  in  safely, 
save  one  ;  there  was  one  missing  at  last  accounts,  and  it 
was  supposed  that  one  was  captured.  Immediately  after 
this,  a  lone  "Johnnie"  rode  up  to  the  crest  of  a  hill, 
fired  a  shot,  then  wheeled  suddenly  about,  and  rode  off 
at  a  rapid  rate.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  the  various' 
details  had  succeeded  in  making  a  total  wreck  of  the 
railroad — except  the  grading — for  many  miles. 

We  were  astir  early  again  on  Tuesday,  August  30th, 
with  orders  to  move  at  six  A.  M.  We  got  off  at  6.30, 
moving  in  a  south-easterly  direction,  following  the 
14th  Corps;  the  23d  following  our  corps.  The  73d 
crossed  the  Montgomery  Railroad  in  front  of  brigade, 
and  advancing,  soon  encountered  a  force  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry  ;  an  engagement  ensued,  in  which  one  cavalry- 
man was  killed,  and  several  taken  prisoners.  Our 
movement  had  been  along  the  line  of  railroad  destroyed 
the  day  before.  Soon  after  getting  past  the  destroyed 
portion  of  the  railroad,  the  precautions-  were  taken 


346  REBEL  TRAINS  MOVING. 

which  put  us  in  readiness  for  the  little  "brush"  with 
the  cavalry  just  mentioned.  At  eleven  A.  M.,  the  regi- 
ment was  ordered  to  the  support  of  a  strong  skirmish- 
line,  which  formed,  deployed,  and  charged  across  an  open 
field,  driving  the  cavalry  from  its  barricades.  The 
brigade  moved  up  and  formed  line,  built  works,  and  re- 
mained in  position  until  next  day.  While  at  this  point 
we  were  three  miles  west  of  Rough  and  Ready,  the 
nearest  station  on  the  Macon  Railroad.  At  five  P.  M., 
the  73d  went  on  picket.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee 
held  the  extreme  right,  the  23d  Corps  the  extreme  left, 
arid  the  14th  and  4th  Corps  the  center  of  the  army,  on 
this  date;  the  4th  Corps,  on  its  left,  connected  with 
the  23d. 

There  was  very  little  fighting  on  this  date,  on  any 
part  of  the  line,  beyond  skirmishing,  such  as  has  been 
alluled  to.  At  nine  P.  M.,  from  our  picket-line,  we 
could  distinctly  hear — as  we  supposed — the  rebel  trains 
moving  southward  on  a  road  not  more  than  a  mile  east- 
ward from  our  position.  We  could  hear  the  teamsters 
yell  out  occasionally  in  urging  their  teams  onward.  Our 
picket-post  was  near  Mount  Gilead  Church — if  you 
know  where  that  is — during  the  night  of  August  30th. 
At  daylight,  August  31st,  the  rebel  trains  were  still 
moving,  and  could  be  seen  passing  the  church,  from  a 
point  near  our  picket-line.  It  could  be  discerned  too, 
that  some  artillery  was  passing  the  church  as  well  as 
wagon-trains.  At  nine  A.  M.  we  moved  our  picket- 
line  forward  one-fourth  of  a  mile.  •  The  1st  Division 
moved  up  on  our  right,  and  the  23d  Corps  took  up  a 
position  on  our  left;  being  thus  relieved,  we  were 
pushed  forward  again  as  skirmishers,  and  soon  gained 
possession  of  a  line  of  temporary  breastworks  and  several 


ROUGH  AND  READY.  347 

• 

prisoners.  At  three  P.  M.  the  23d  Corps  moved  in 
the  direction  of  Rough  and  Ready;  it  was  welcome  to 
the  job  of  taking  that  point,  if  it  was  all  its  name  im- 
plied. The  4th  Corps  followed  the  23d;  the  14th 
Corps  bore  off  to  the  right,  taking  another  road.  Mount 
Gilead  Church  was  found  to  be  situated  on  the  north 
bank  of  a  tributary  to  Flint  River,  at  an  angle  or  corner 
formed  by  said  tributary  stream  and  the  Atlanta  and 
Jonesboro  wagon-road.  We  were  relieved  as  skirmishers, 
and  joined  the  brigade  and  division  shortly  after  the 
23d  Corps  began  its  movement  in  the  afternoon.  Our 
division  bivouacked  two  miles  west  of  Rough  and 
Ready,  and  threw  up  earth-works.  General  Cox, 
with  his  division,  crossed  the  railroad  at  Rough  and 
Ready,  encountering  no  resistance.  General  Howard, 
with  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  was  reported  to  be 
within  one-half  mile  of  Jonesboro,  in  the  direction  of 
which  point  there  was  heavy  cannonading  late  in  the 
day.  The  14th  Corps  still  connected  with  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee  on  its  right  flank,  and  with  the  4th 
Corps  on  its  left.  On  our  front,  the  earth-works  were 
complete  by  9.30  P.  M.,  and  we  lay  down  to  sleep  as 
soundly  as  we  might.  Our  entire  corps  had  crossed 
the  Macon  Railroad  and  was  formed  in  a  hollow  square, 
to  camp  for  the  night. 

Thursday,  September  1st,  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  we  were  up,  ready,  and  waiting  for  orders.  A 
portion  of  the  regiment  added  some  finishing  touches 
to  the  breastworks  in  front.  At  seven  o'clock,  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  march,  and  at  eight,  we  moved  out,  and 
reached  Rough  and  Ready  at  9.15  A.  M.  Four  miles 
of  the  railroad  from  Rough  and  Ready,  in  the  direction 
of  Atlanta,  had  been  torn  up  during  the  night. 


348  HOW  IT  WAS  DONE. 

Our  divfsion  was  ordered  to  form  in  line  along  the 
railroad,  its  left  resting  at  the  point  where  the  railroad 
was  destroyed,  and  where  the  undisturbed  portion  of 
the  road  set  in,  and  extend  our  line  to  the  right  as  far 
as  the  division  would  reach.  We  then  stacked  arms 
and  commenced  the  destruction  of  the  road,  by  all 
getting  on  one  side,  and  taking  hold  of  the  ends  of 
the  ties,  lifting,  and  turning  the  whole  track  bottom 
upward.  We  then  wrenched  the  ties  from  the  rails, 
and  put  them  one  on  top  of  another,  in  piles,  three  feet 
high,  or  higher,  and  as  far  apart,  almost,  as  a  rail  was 
long.  The  rails  were  then  placed  on  these  piles  of 
ties,  one  end  on  one  pile,  and  the  other  end  on  the  next 
pile,  and  so  on;  each  pile  of  ties,  except  the  first  and 
last,  supported  the  ends  of  two  or  more  rails,  laid  side 
by  side,  making  a  continuous  line  of  iron  rails  on  top 
of  the  piles  of  ties.  Fence-rails  and  debris  of  the 
wreck  were  then  piled  under  each  length  of  railroad 
iron,  equidistant  from  the  ends,  and  set  on  fire.  While 
the  iron  was  growing  hot,  some  heavy  ties,  reserved 
for  the  purpose,  and  logs  or  rock,  anything  that  could 
be  had,  was  placed  on  top  the  iron  rails  just  above  the 
fire,  to  weigh  and  bend  the  rails  down  to  the  ground, 
thus  spoiling  them.  Many  rails,  while  hot,  were  taken 
and  bent  around  trees  and  saplings,  at  the  edge  of  the 
woods.  In  this  manner  the  railroad  bed,  or  grade  was 
dismantled  to  within  one  mile  of  Jonesboro.  Before 
this  destruction  was  complete,  however,  the  73d  was  called 
for,  to  go  on  the  skirmish-line.  We  deployed,  and  ad- 
vanced immediately,  going  to  the  left  of  the  railroad, 
and  reaching  a  position  which  enabled  us  to  threaten, 
or  render  insecure,  the  enemy's  right  wing  in  the  new 
position  he  had  taken  at  Jonesboro.  By  this  time  it 


A  LITTLE  SLOW.  349 

was  nearly  four  P.  M.  The  14th  Corps  assaulted  the 
enemy  in  front  of  Jonesboro,  taking  thirteen  pieces  of 
artillery  and  about  as  many  hundred  prisoners,  and  in- 
flicting a  heavy  loss  in  killed  and  wounded;  but  of 
course,  being  the  assaulting  party,  the  14th  Corps  suf- 
fered a  heavy  loss. 

As  had  been  the  case  for  some  three  or  four  days, 
the  right  of  our  corps  connected  with  the  left  of  the 
14th.  Our  corps  getting  up,  its  left  was  pushed  around 
and  engaged,  and  pressed  back  the  skirmishers  of  the 
enemy  on  his  extreme  right,  so  that  at  dusk  there  was 
pretty  sharp  firing  along  our  front.  Doubtless  much 
more  would  have  been  accomplished,  had  our  division 
and  corps  left  railroad-wrecking  alone,  and  hurried  up 
and  arrived  on  the  ground  one  hour  sooner.  As  it  turned 
out,  we  only  captured  the  Confederate  hospital,  with 
one  hundred  and  fifty  sick  and  wounded,  a  dozen  or  so 
nurses,  and  one  doctor.  This  doctor,  as  he  passed  through 
our  lines,  remarked,  "Billy  Fed,  we  are  sold;  we  did 
not  expect  such  an  army  here." 

We  kept  on  pressing  our  lines  forward,  until  dark- 
ness made  a  farther  advance  unadvisable.  After  dark 
our  regiment  was  relieved  from  the  front  and  placed  in 
reserve.  One  man  from  Company  H  missing,  was  all 
the  loss  the  regiment  sustained  during  the  day.  There 
were  ten  killed  and  wounded  of  the  brigade.  In  our 
front,  temporary  works  were  hastily  thrown  up.  We — 
of  the  73d — being  in  reserve,  spread  down  our  gum 
blankets,  and,  lying  down,  were  soon  asleep.  All  was 
unusually  quiet  when  we  lay  down ;  the  sky  was  cloud- 
less, and  as  we  gazed  upon  the  stars,  we  little  thought 
our  rest  would  be  broken  by  hearing  the  rumble  and 
roar  of  explosions  in  the  direction  of  Atlanta ;  but  such 


350  ABOUT  JONESBORO. 

was  the  case.  The  sounds  were  similar  to  those  pro- 
duced by  distant  artillery  firing,  and  were  followed  by 
a  continued  popping.  The  rumble  and  roar  continued 
until  near  daybreak ;  then  it  ceased  for  a  time ;  then 
began  again,  and  continued  until  sunrise.  It  was  some- 
what alarming  to  us  at  first,  and  there  were  many  and 
widely  differing  surmises  as  to  what  caused  the  "  blow- 
ing up,"  as  it  was  generally  conceded  to  be.  Many 
thought  the  rebels  had  made  a  dash  and  seized  and 
fired  our  ammunition-train.  It  seemed  incredible 
that  we  could  hear  the  sounds  of  bursting  shell  at 
Atlanta;  we  being  fully  twenty  miles  from  that  point 
in  a  direct  line. 

We  had  been  awake  since  about  one  A.  M,,  had 
dispatched  our  breakfasts  by  six  o'clock,  and  at  seven 
A.  M.  of  Friday,  September  2d,  we  received  orders  to 
march,  and  we  started  without  delay.  The  73d  was 
assigned  as  support  to  the  skirmishers  before  we  moved 
very  far.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  the  enemy  had 
slipped  away  from  Jonesboro.  We  moved  forward  and 
took  possession  of  the  town  and  of  the  works  encircling 
it.  We  learned  that  we  had  moved  almost  directly, 
on  the  enemy's  rear  the  evening  of  the  preceding  day. 
It  was  thought  if  we  had  had  two  hours  more  of  day- 
light the  rebel  force,  consisting  of  Hardee's  and  Loring's 
corps,  might  have  been  "gobbled  up."  As  it  was,  the 
rebels  had  received  a  severe  punishment,  losing  nearly 
if  not  quite  four  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
captured,  and  twenty-two  pieces  of  artillery. 

Taking  advantage  of  the  stop  made,  Captain  Kyger 
and  others  went  over  the  ground  where  the  fight  raged 
fiercest,  in  front  of  the  14th  Corps.  The  rebel  dead 
were  being  buried  by  the  "Yankee"  soldiers.  Captain 


FORWARD  TO  LOVEJOY'S.  351 

Holloway,  of  the  125th  Illinois,  was  found  to  be  all 
right.  The  losses  in  his  company  (D)  were  George 
Jordan,  killed ;  Orderly  Sergeant  Finley,  wounded 
in  leg,  slight;  E.  W.  Eakin,  face,  severe;  Allen  Cotton, 
face,  slight;  Josephus  Shearer,  leg,  slight;  and  John 
Dye,  leg,  slight.  The  loss  in  the  regiment  being 
Captain  Charles,  five  sergeants,  and  two  privates 
killed,  and  thirty-two  wounded  and  missing. 

At  ten  A.  M.  the  army  was  in  motion  again,  moving 
southward,  our  corps  (4th)  going  along  the  railroad, 
the  15th  Corps  to  our  right  and  23d  to  our  left.  The 
rebels  relinquished  the  city  of  Atlanta,  and  it  was  taken 
possession  of  and  occupied  by  the  20th  Corps.  All  the 
ammunition,  stores,  and  supplies  of  every  kind  that 
they  could  not  carry  or  transport  with  them  were 
destroyed  by  the  rebels  before  leaving  Atlanta.  The 
depots  of  supplies,  storage  buildings,  rolling-mills, 
foundries,  and  machine-shops  were  "  blown-up,"  com- 
pletely wrecked,  and  demolished,  thus  accounting  for 
the  noises  and  explosions  we  had  heard  early  in  the 
morning.  The  quantity  of  ammunition  destroyed  or 
"  blown-up "  was  said  to  be  not  less  than  eighty  car- 
loads. We  passed  through  Jonesboro,  a  small  town 
twenty-two  miles  south  of  Atlanta.  The  railroad  depot 
and-  several  other  houses  had  been  burned  by  Kilpat- 
rick  when  on  his  raid  to  the  enemy's  rear  a  few  weeks 
previous  to  this  date. 

Continuing  our  march,  we  arrived  within  one  mile 
of  Lovejoy's  Station  by  three  P.  M.  Here  we  found 
the  enemy  intrenched  on  the  opposite  side  of  an  open 
field,  from  our  halting-place.  We  moved  up  within 
musket  range  of  their  skirmish-pits  and  established  our 
line.  The  44th  Illinois  was  on  the  skirmish-line,  and 


352  "ATLANTA  IS  OURS." 

the  73d  was  ordered  forward  as  support,  and  a  brisk 
skirmish  fire  was  maintained  until  night-fall.  Captain 
Cross,  of  Company  A,  received  a  flesh  wound  in  the 
thigh,  which  was  the  only  casualty  received  in  the  73d. 
Four  men  of  the  44th  were  wounded.  The  regiments  to 
our  rear  erected  a  line  of  works.  At  ten  P.  M.  we 
were  relieved  ;  we  then  retired  behind  the  works  a  short 
distance  ;  our  day's  work  was  done  and  by  eleven  P.  M. 
we  were  asleep. 

Daylight  of  Saturday,  September  3d,  found  us  all 
astir,  and  on  the  lookout  for  the  next  "departure." 
There  were  no  changes  in  the  position  of  the  combatants. 
The  railroad  had  been  destroyed  up  to  within  one  mile 
of  the  station.  A  congratulatory  message  from  General 
Sherman  was  read  at  the  head-quarters  of  each  com- 
mand amid  much  enthusiasm.  He  said  :  "  Our  present 
task  is  well  done.  Atlanta  is  ours;  the  20th  Corps  took 
possession  at  eleven  A.  M.,  of  the  2d ;  therefore  further 
destruction  of  the  railroad  will  cease."  Four  months  of 
active  campaigning  ended  with  this  date,  during  which 
time  not  more  than  two  days  passed  without  a  clash  or 
contest  of  some  kind,  on  some  part  of  the  line,  with  the 
enemy. 

The  soldiers  generally  regarded  the  victory  which 
crowned  their  labors  and  dangers  as  at  least  among  the 
most  significant  of  the  war.  That  Sherman  had  com- 
pletely outgeneraled  Hood  was  evident.  No  one,  at 
this  time,  had  any  knowledge  as  to  what  would  come 
next.  The  rash  and  desperate  expedient  which  Hood 
resorted  to  was  unexpected.  There  were  rumors  in 
camp  to  the  effect  that  we  should  soon  march  to  Atlanta, 
settle  down,  and  take  a  rest.  To  men  who  had  been 
four  months  tramping,  picketing,  skirmishing,  and 


A T  LOVEJO Y 'S  STA TION.  353 

fighting,  this  was  good  news,  if  true.  Of  the  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  days  that  had  passed  since  the  great 
campaign  opened,  we  had  been  under  fire  at  least  ninety- 
six,  and  skirmishing  in  front  was  still  going  on,  notwith- 
standing. 

We  gained  some  rest  during  the  night  of  Septem- 
ber 3d,  and  were  up  early  on  Sunday,  the  4th.  Orders 
were  issued  to  clean  and  straighten  up  the  camp;  but 
for  what  purpose,  our  data  do  not  show;  probably 
out  of  respect  for  the  day.  There  was  a  rumor  that 
Hood  had  been  re-enforced  by  a  corps;  by  troops  that 
the  Geo'rgia  militia  had  relieved,  doubtless.  A  portion 
of  our  trains  were  sent  to  the  rear;  but  how  far  or  to 
what  point  was  not  ascertained  at  the  time.  Indica- 
tions still  pointed  to  a  withdrawal  and  falling  back  of 
our  forces ;  voluntary,  of  course.  Picket-firing  con- 
tinued during  the  day. 

All  was  reasonably  quiet  on  Monday  morning — the 
5th.  There  was  a  dearth  of  news,  and  it  seemed  to 
many  as  if  we  had  about  reached  the  jumping-off  place,  in 
the  woods  and  underbrush.  A  mail  was  received  in  the 
forenoon,  which  served  to  divert  our  attention  and 
occupy  the  time.  The  picket-firing  was  still  going  on; 
but  that  had  grown  somewhat  monotonous  and  tiresome. 
The  remainder  of  our  trains  moved  out,  going  to  the 
rear,  during  the  afternoon.  A  shower  of  rain  before 
night-fall  had  a  refreshing  effect.  At  six  P.  M.  orders 
to  march  at  eight  P.  M.  were  received.  We  were 
going  to  Atlanta,  and  the  instructions  were  to  leave  one 
regiment  of  each  brigade  on  picket — covering  its  bri- 
gade front — until  midnight,  and  then  cautiously  and 
silently  withdraw,  and  follow,  and  catch  up  with  the  main 
body  of  troops  which  started  earlier.  In  our  brigade, 

23 


FALL  BACK  FROM  LOVEJOY'S. 

the  73d  was  the  regiment  detailed  to  tarry  behind,  and 
at. 6. 30  P.  M.  we  relieved  the  44th  Illinois  from  the 
skirmish-line.  At  eight  o'clock  it  was  raining,  and  con- 
tinued raining  until  eleven  P.  M.  At  fifteen  minutes 
after  twelve  midnight,  the  division  officer  of  the  day 
sent  orders  to  draw  in  our  pickets.  This  was  very 
quietly  done ;  the  regiments,  as  they  withdrew,  formed 
in  line  in  the  earth-works  in  front  of  the  .camp  our  bri- 
gade had  occupied.  The  "  Johnnies  "  kept  on  firing  just 
the  same  as  before.  As  soon  as  all  the  regiments  were 
withdrawn,  we  started  off  through  the  woods,  finding  it 
very  dark.  Before  going  very  far  some  of  tne  boys 
ran  against  a  rotten  log,  which,  on  being  knocked  to 
pieces,  supplied  phosphorus  to  smear  on  the  hat-brims 
of  the  men  in  advance,  which  aided  greatly  in  guiding 
us  out  of  the  wilderness  to  the  railroad.  The  enemy 
did  not  follow  us  up,  and  the  sounds  of  his  useless,  des- 
ultory firing  grew  fainter  in  our  ears  as  we  quietly 
though  rapidly  proceeded  on  our  way. 

Just  before  daybreak  of  Tuesday,  September  6th,  we 
arrived  at  Jonesboro;  we  halted  in  the  street  and 
waited  until  after  sunrise,  sleeping  some  in  the  mean- 
time. At  Jonesboro  we  found  the  14th  Corps,  occupy- 
ing about  the  same  position  as  on  September  1st.  Some 
of  our  men  characterized  the  14th  Corps  men  as  "  pets," 
much  to  the  mortification  of  the  latter,  at  first;  the 
grounds  for  such  characterization  being  the  well-earned 
permission  to  that  corps  to  remain  there  while  the  rest 
of  the  army  went  on  valiantly  after  the  "Johnnies." 
After  sunrise  we  joined  the  brigade  on  the  same  grounds 
we  occupied  in  battle  of  the  1st  instant;  the  73d 
halted  with  its  right  resting  at  the  place  where  its  left 
lay  before.  Four  days'  rations  were  issued  to  us  while 


NONE  ESCAPED— ALL  GUILTY.  355 

remaining  in  line.  We  then  moved  a  short  distance  to 
the  rear,  and  were  notified  that  we  should  pass  the  day 
and  night  there.  Accordingly  we  put  up  our  shelter- 
tents,  and  prepared  for  a  kind  of  "  harvest-home "  pic- 
nic. The  rebel  cavalry  followed  up  early  in  the  day, 
skirmishing  a  little,  but  not  very  obstinately,  just 
merely  to  ascertain  our  position  and  pick  up  stragglers — 
if  any — we  had  left  behind.  A  small  quantity  of  cot- 
ton was  destroyed  by  fire  at  Jonesboro,  as  we  had  not 
transportation  to  move  it. 

Our  division  began  its  march  before  daylight,  Sep- 
tember 7th ;  our  brigade  relieved  the  2d  and  3d  Bri- 
gades from  the  front  line  ;  they  started  on,  leaving  us  to 
follow  at  a  " slow  pace"  as  ordered,  at  seven  A.  M.  We 
rested  often  on  the  way,  and  at  three  P.  M.  our  divis- 
ion— 2d — halted  on  the  "Pool  Farm,"  to  remain  over 
night.  On  the  most  direct  road,  this  farm  was  six  miles 
from  Atlanta.  The  "  Preacher  Regiment "  bivouacked  in 
the  door-yard,  in  order  that  no  chickens  might  escape. 
The  man  who  had  the  farm  leased  admitted  he  had  been 
in  the  trenches,  as  a  member  of  the  Georgia  militia,  for 
the  defense  of  Atlanta.  We  used  up  his  chickens,  pigs, 
corn,  and  potatoes.  The  farm-house  was  very  old,  and 
much  out  of  repair;  no  glass  in  the  windows,  with  one 
exception.  The  head-quarters  of  Company  C  were  lo- 
cated under  a  crape-myrtle  tree,  bearing  a  beautiful 
purple  flower,  which  did  not  entirely  wither  until  De- 
cember as  a  rule. 

We  were  up  early  on  Thursday,  September  8th.  Soon 
after  breakfast  we  received  orders  to  march  at  seven ;  but 
as  our  division  was  to  march  at  the  rear  of  corps,  it  did 
not  get  started  until  8.30  A.  M.  Being  thus  delayed, 
we  had  a  gay  time  throwing  cotton-balls  and  cobs  at 


356  ENTER  THE  GATE  CITY. 

each  other,  making  a  sham-battle  out  of  it.  We  were 
all  feeling  unusually  lively  for  various  reasons,  the 
principal  of  which  was  the  prospect  of  an  early  en- 
trance within  the  "  Gate  City."  We  marched  on  the 
direct  road  to  Atlanta,  passed  inside  the  pickets — 20th 
Corps — and  halted  at  12.15  P.  M.  just  inside  the  rebel 
line  of  works. 

We  resumed  our  march  after  a  fifteen  minutes'  stop, 
and  passed  into  Atlanta  on  a  street  leading  past  the 
court-house,  a  large  two-story  brick,  located  in  the  cen- 
ter of  a  square  shaded  by  forest  trees.  But  one  place 
was  noticeable  indicating  that  the  building  had  been 
struck  by  a  cannon-ball,  and  that  did  not  appear  to  have 
been  a  "  center -shot"  General  Sherman's  head-quarters 
were  on  the  west  side  of  the  street  opposite  the  court- 
house. The  next  object  of  interest  was  the  Chatta- 
nooga and  Atlanta  Railroad  depot,  a  long  brick  build- 
ing ;  and  near  it  was  the  Trout  House,  once  the  lead- 
ing hotel  of  the  city,  a  three-story  brick  building.  At 
this  time  it  seemed  to  be  a  loafing-place  for  "  Yankees." 
We  marched  on  northward  to  Second  Street,  which 
runs  in  nearly  a  south-west  and  north-east  course,  its 
extension  being  the  "  dirt  road "  leading  to  Decatur. 
On  Second  Street  were  many  nice  residences,  situated 
'quite  a  distance  from  the  street,  which  appeared  to  have 
once  been  pleasant  homes  for  a  contented  people,  but  on 
this  date  but  few  of  them  were  occupied. 

There  were  some  manifestations  of  pleasure  at  our 
coming,  on  the  part  of  the  people  who  were  at  home, 
by  showing  themselves  at  front  doors,  at  windows,  and 
on  the  porticoes  and  verandas.  The  wealthiest  class, 
the  aristocratic  portion  of  the  population,  were  generally 
gone  from  home.  The  arsenal  was  located  on  Second 


THE  RUB— "BLOWN  UP."  357 

Street,  a  two-story  frame  building  extending  the  full 
length  of  a  block;  all  the  machinery  had  been  taken  out. 

Farther  out,  in  the  north-eastern  suburbs  of  the  city, 
we  came  to  a  place  where  the  large  rolling-mill,  the  four 
locomotives,  and  the  eighty  car-loads  of  ammunition, 
had  been  "blown  up  "  on  the  morning  of  September  2d. 
The  building  was  entirely  destroyed ;  boilers  were  thrown 
from  their  places;  an  immense  fly-wheel  was  left  creel- 
ing in  its  pit;  the  locomotives  were  badly  battered,  and 
one  of  them  thrown  from  the  track;  all  of  the  wood- 
work was  burned  off  the  car-wheels ;  the  wheels  were 
standing  on  a  tieless  track,  surrounded  by  broken  shells, 
huge  solid  shot,  some  one  hundred-pounders,  grape-shot, 
canister,  and  all  manner  or  kind  of  ammunition  used. 
It  was  a  great  destruction  of  property,  which  might 
have  proved  useful  to  the  enemy  and  very  damaging  to 
ourselves,  could  the  enemy  have  held  or  saved  it.  But 
just  there  was  where  the  rub  came.  He  could  do  neither ; 
so,  to  keep  this  property  from  becoming  useful  in  our 
hands  and  damaging  to  themselves,  the  rebels  destroyed 
it.  The  rolling-mill  was  said  to  be  the  only  one  of  any 
note  in  the  South.  All  the  heavy  plating  for  the  rebel 
gun-boats  had  been  turned  out  at  this  mill.  The  mill 
at  High  Tower  was  also  entirely  destroyed.  We  had 
halted  a  short  time  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ruins,  which 
furnished  us  an  opportunity  to  view  them. 

The  fall  of  Atlanta,  the  loss  and  demolition  of 
property,  of  machinery  wherewith  to  manufacture,  and 
of  material  to  manufacture  from,  or  out  of,  was  an  ex- 
tremely heavy  and  crippling  blow  to  the  struggling  Con- 
federacy, and  went  far  in  the  direction  of  bringing  on 
the  beginning  of  the  end  of  the  war.  Leaving  the 
ruins,  we  passed  on  outside  the  line  of  fortifications, 


358 


NO  PERMANENT  CAMP. 


keeping  on  the  Decatur  wagon-road,  until  we  reached 
a  point  beyond  our  own,  or  the  "  Yankee"  line  of  works, 
about  one  mile  from  the  center  of  Atlanta.  The  1st 
and  3d  Divisions  of  the  4th  Corps  went  into  camp  on 
the  right  of  the  road,  with  their  left  in  the  direction  of 
Decatur;  while  our  division  filed  off  to  the  left  of  same 
road,  and  went  within  a  half  mile  of  the  point  we  left 

on  the  25th  of  August 
when  beginning  the 
last  great  flanking  op- 
erations. It  was  given 
out  that  our  halting- 
place  of  this  date  was 
not  to  be  our  perma- 
nent camp;  nor  any 
other  place  either,  as 
time  proved,  was  to  be 
our  permanent  camp. 
This  entire  circuit 
around  the  city  and  the 
movement  twenty- 
eight  miles  south  of  it, 
and  back,  made  in 
thirteen  days,  was 
with  the  loss  of  but 
one  man  wounded  (or  officer,  rather),  Captain  Cross,  and 
one  man  missing  from  the  73d. 

All  very  quiet  on  this  date,  September  8th.  It  seemed 
strange,  as  well  as  agreeable,  to  have  it  so.  No  sound  of 
an  enemy's  guns,  or  of  our  own,  did  we  hear  on  this 
day,  which  was  the  first  day  since  May  2d,  that  we 
could  not  hear  some  firing  by  the  enemy,  either  to  our 
front,  or  right,  or  left,  or  somewhere.  We  had  passed 


"APPLAUSE  AND  THANKS."  359 

through  four  months  of  continual  popping,  shooting, 
whacking,  and  banging.  Now  it  was  delightful  to  have 
one  perfectly  quiet  day,  and  the  privilege  to  anticipate 
or  expect  a  few  more  like  it.  We  had  no  news  or 
orders  on  the  9th,  but  drew  rations  of  fish  and  flour. 
The  supply  of  rations  about  this  time,  was  not  very 
abundant.  We  were  occupied  on  September  10th  in 
fixing  and  cleaning  up  camp.  During  the  day  the  fol- 
lowing orders  were  promulgated : 


HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND,  \ 
NEAR  JONESBOBO,  GEORGIA,  September  6, 1864.     I 
Orders. 

The  general  commanding  directs  "that  the  following  order   be 

published  to  all  the  troops  comprising  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land: 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OP  THE  MISSISSIPPI,     \ 
"  IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  JONESBORO,  GEORGIA,  September  6,  1864.  / 

"Special  Field  Orders  No.  66. 

"  I.  The  general-in-chief  communicates,  with  a  feeling  of  just 
pride  and  satisfaction,  the  following  orders  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  the  telegram  of  Lieutenant-General  U.  S.  Grant, 
on  hearing  of  the  capture  of  Atlanta : 

•'  First. 

"EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  •» 

"  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  September  3, 1864.  J 

"The  National  thanks  are  rendered  by  the  President  to  Major- 
General  W.  T.  Sherman,  and  the  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  of 
his  command  before  Atlanta,  for  the  distinguished  ability,  courage, 
and  perseverance  displayed  in  the  campaign  in  Georgia,  which, 
under  Divine  favor,  has  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  city  of  At- 
lanta. The  battles,  marches,  sieges,  and  other  military  operations 
that  have  signalized  the  campaign,  must  render  it  famous  in  the 
annals  of  war,  and  have  entitled  those  who  have  participated  therein 
to  the  applause  and  thanks  of  the  Nation. 

(Signed,)  "ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 

"  President  of  the  United  States. 


860  LINCOLN,  GRANT,  AND  SHERMAN. 

"  EXECUTIVE  MANSIO 
"  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  September  3,  1864. 


"Second.  "  EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  1 

M 


"  Orders. 

"  First.  That  on  Monday,  the  5th  day  of  September,  com- 
mencing at  the  hour  of  twelve  o'clock  noon,  there  shall  be  given 
a  salute  of  one  hundred  guns  at  the  arsenal  and  navy-yards  at 
Washington,  and  on  Tuesday,  the  6th  day  of  September,  or  the 
day  after  the  receipt  of  this  order,  at  each  arsenal  and  navy-yard 
in  the  United  States,  for  the  recent  brilliant  achievements  of  the 
fleet  and  land  forces  of  the  United  States  in  the  harbor  of  Mobile,  in 
the  reduction  of  Forts  Powell,  Gaines,  and  Morgan.  The  Secretary 
of  War  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  will  issue  the  necessary  orders, 
in  their  respective  departments,  for  the  execution  of  this  order. 

"Second.  That  on  Wednesday,  the  7th  day  of  September, 
commencing  at  the  hour  of  twelve  noon,  there  shall  be  fired  a 
salute  of  one  hundred ,  guns  at  the  arsenal  at  Washington  ;  at 
New  York,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Pittsburg,  Newport, 
Ky.,  New  Orleans,  St.  Louis,  Mobile,  Pensacola,  Hilton  Head, 
and  Newbern,  on  the  day  after  the  receipt  of  this  order, — for  the 
brilliant  achievements  of  the  army,  under  the  command  of  General 
W.  T.  Sherman,  in  the  State  of  Georgia,  and  the  capture  of  At- 
lanta. The  Secretary  of  War  will  issue  directions  for  the  execu- 
tion of  this  order. 

(Signed,)  "ABRAHAM  LINCOLN, 

"  President  of  the  United  States. 

"Third. 

"  CITY  POINT,  VIRGINIA,  \ 

"  Nine  o'clock  P.  M.,  September  4,  1864.  j 

"MAJOR-GENERAL  SHERMAN, — I  have  just  received  your  dis- 
patches, announcing  the  capture  of  Atlanta.  In  honor  of  your  great 
victory,  I  have  ordered  a  salute  to  be  fired  with  shotted  guns  from 
every  battery  bearing  on  the  enemy.  The  salute  will  be  fired 
within  one  hour  amidst  great  rejoicing. 

(Signed,)        "  U.  S.  GRANT,  Lieutenant-Geueral. 

"II.  All  the  corps,  regiments,  and  batteries,  composing  this 
army,  may,  without  further  orders,  inscribe  ATLANTA  on  their  colors. 
By  command  of  MAJOR-GENERAL  W.  T.  SHERMAN, 

(Signed,)  "L.  M.  DAYTON,  Aid-de-Camp." 

By  command  of  MAJOR-GENERAL  THOMAS. 

(Signed,)          HENRY  STONE,  Acting  Adjutant-General. 

Official:   N.  S.  JACKSON,  Lieutenant,  and   Acting  Assistant  Adjutant- 
General,  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps. 


PER T1NENT  FACTS.  361 

In  the  war- time  the  soldiers  could  get  the  attention 
and  consideration  which  is  too  often  lacking  in  time  of 
peace,  in  places  of  authority  and  power.  In  time  of 
war  the  soldiers  were  the  indispensable  agents  for  enforc- 
ing the  governmental  mandates  and  regulations,  through 
the  use  of  their  guns,  bayonets,  and  cartridges.  The 
soldiers  were  invested  and  clothed  with  power  which, 
in  war,  is  exercised  as  the  ultimate  and  last  resort 
of  governments,  when  all  other  means  and  measures 
have  failed.  Who  can  now  adequately  conceive  of  the 
chaotic  and  unsettled  condition  of  affairs  that  might 
have  obtained  in  this  fair  land  had  it  not  been  for 
the  services  and  sacrifices  of  the  men  who  carried  the 
muskets  in  the  years  1861  to  1865. 

Upon  the  soldiers  the  Government  depended  for  its 
existence ;  without  them  it  could  not  have  continued  to 
exist  another  day.  Orders  emanating  from  the  highest 
civil  and  military  officers  of  the  Government  recognized 
and  fully  admitted  this  fact.  The  soldiers  were  indeed 
the  Government,  and  are  and  must  be  the  bulwark  and 
strong  pillar  of  its  foundation  and  support,  now  and 
hereafter.  What  our  soldiers  did  in  the  War  of  the 
Rebellion  proves  in  advance  what  their  descendants 
would  do  in  the  future,  should  an  emergency  arise. 
But  the  record  made  in  the  War  of  1861-65  by  our 
soldiers,  precludes  the  probability  of  an  emergency 
arising  that  shall  call  for  the  like  services  and  sacrifices. 

We  will  return  from  this  digression,  and  let  the  next 
war  take  care  of  itself.  Major  Motherspaw,  Captain 
Kyger,  and  others  of  the  regiment  (the  two  officers 
mentioned  being  accompanied  by  Captain  Jemison,  of 
the  21st  Illinois),  visited  Atlanta  on  a  kind  of  tour  of 
inspection.  As  the  three  officers  named  rode  to  the 


362  ATLANTA  INSPECTED. 

city,  they  continued  their  ride  through  and  over  it, 
making  a  thorough  examination.  In  no  respect  did  the 
city  come  up  to  the  expectations  formed  of  it  by  the 
visitors.  Perhaps  they  made  insufficient  allowances  for 
the  dilapidation  and  running  down  naturally  resulting 
from  the  war  engrossing  and  distracting  the  attention 
of  the  people  for  three  years.  The  streets  ran  from 
the  square,  or  center  to  all  points  of  the  compass ;  but 
few  of  them  presented  anything  like  an  inviting  ap- 
pearance. There  were  some  fair  residences  and  busi- 
ness houses.  The  west,  north-west,  and  north  portions 
of  the  city  were  found  to  have  been  very  much  injured 
by  our  shells  and  solid  shot.  Nearly  all  the  valuable 
machinery  had  been  removed  from  the  mills,  arsenal, 
and  shops  by  the  rebels  on  their  retreat.  The  great 
majority  of  the  resident  population  of  the  city  remain- 
ing within  its  limits  were  women  and  children.  Pur- 
suant to  orders,  our  camp  was  policed  and  thoroughly 
refitted  on  this  date,  September  10th.  Late  in  the 
day  we  were  notified  that  on  Monday  we  would  move 
to  another  place,  and  go  into  a  permanent  camp.  Much 
dissatisfaction  was  expressed  with  the  camp  as  located 
on  this  date,  and  all  of  us  were  eager  for  a  change. 

Weather  was  quite  cool  on  Sunday  morning,  Sep- 
tember llth.  There  were  no  items  of  interest  to  note 
beyond  the  fact  that  Chaplain  Jaquess  preached  a  ser- 
mon to  all  who  favored  him  with  their  presence  and 
attention.  A  detail  of  men  went  to  Chattanooga  to 
assist  in  bringing  up  transportation  for  the  brigade ; 
mules,  harness,  wagons,  etc. 

On  September  12th,  preparations  were  made  for 
moving  camp ;  the  ground  was  selected,  cleaned  up, 
and  regularly  laid  off  and  staked.  The  ground  chosen 


OUR  CAMP.  363 

.  for  the  new  camp  was  in  a  nice  grove,  about  one  and 
one-fourth  miles  north-east  of  the  city.  The  camp 
fronted  the  south-east;  each  company  was  allotted 
thirteen  steps  front,  and  thirty  steps  from  front  to  rear. 
Quarters  of  line  officers  were  twenty-five  steps  from 
the  company  front,  and  the  field  officers  had  their 
quarters  forty-six  steps  from  those  of  the  line  officers. 
The  shelter  tents  were  nearly  all  up  by  six  P.  M. 
Company  C  head-quarters,  as  usual,  were  first-class, 
though  Kyger  would  have  had  them  a  little  more  so, 
if  it  had  been  possible.  By  many,  these  exact  meas- 
urements and  extra  painstaking  in  laying  off  our  camp 
were  considered  surely  indicative  of  an  early  move,  as 
much  so  as  if  molasses  and  flour  had  been  issued  by  the 
commissary.  "Major"  Huffman,  of  Company  C,  a  brick- 
layer by  trade,  had  a  contract  to  build  a  large  oven  for 
somebody  in  a  neighboring  brigade;  this  he  construed  as 
a  sign  of  an  early  movement,  and  he  hurried  up  with  his 
job,  so  as  to  get  his  five  dollars  before  orders  to  march 
were  received.  He  barely  succeeded  by  working  hard 
for  two  days. 

We  were  all  up  early  on  Tuesday,  September  13th, 
at  work  on  our  camp  and  quarters.  Captain  Kyger 
and  the  writer  secured  scantling  and  some  other  mate- 
rial and  out  of  it  erected  a  respectable  frame-work,  over 
which  to  stretch  our  wagon-sheet.  It  was  a  matter  of 
regret  to  Kyger  that  we  could  not  get  lumber  for  floor- 
ing. The  next  two  days  were  likewise  spent  in  improv- 
ing and  cleaning  camp,  and  cleaning  up  generally. 

On  the  16th,  Friday,  orders  were  issued  by  Colonel 
Opdycke,  our  brigade  commander,  requiring  company 
drill  twice  each  day,  and  officers'  drill  each  morning  in 
front  of  his  quarters,  Saturday  and  Sunday  excepted. 


364  .         DIVISION  REVIEW. 

Had  dress-parade  in  the  evening,  the  first  for  several  weeks. 
On  the  17th  we  made  preparations  for  inspection,  both  of 
camp  and  of  arms.  Some  very  elaborate  and  tasteful 
decorations  were  put  up.  Major  Motherspaw-  received 
a  "leave  of  absence"  for  twenty  days,  to  visit  Illinois. 

Rain  was  falling  on  Sunday,  September  18th,  which 
prevented  General  Stanley,  our  corps  commander,  from 
inspecting  our  grounds  and  camp.  At  ten  A.M.,  as  was 
expected,  General  Newton  and  Colonel  Opdycke  rode 
around  through  our  camp.  Major  Motherspaw  started 
for  Illinois  at  eleven  A.  M. 

Monday,  19th,  had  officers  drill  at  brigade  head- 
quarters, fifteen  minutes,  then  returned  to  cniup.and  had 
company  drill.  Wm.  Martin,  wounded  July  20th,  re- 
turned to  duty.  Tuesday,  September  20th,  no  drill; 
rain  prevented.  Wednesday,  21st,  the  73d  was  ordered 
out  as  escort  to  the  forage  train ;  left  camp  at  noon. 
Captain  of  Company  C  remained  behind  and  improved 
the  time  by  getting  some  plank  for  floor  for  quarters. 
He  was  going  to  have  that  tent  floored  if  the  regiment 
moved  next  day.  Some  work  was  done  on  muster-rolls. 

The  73d  arrived  in  camp  at  dark  on  Thursday,  the 
22d,  from  forage  trip,  having  been  out  fifteen  miles. 
The  division  was  reviewed  on  this  date  by  General 
Stanley.  The  73d  being  absent  from  camp  on  other 
business,  missed  the  review,  but  quite  a  lot  of  forage 
was  secured.  The  officers  of  the  brigade  were  required 
to  report,  with  muskets,  at  brigade  head-quarters  for 
drill  on  the  morning  of  September  23d.  The  officers 
regarded  this  as  quite  a  bore,  and  somewhat  humiliat- 
ing, and  remonstrated  against  the  drill  by  uniting  and 
signing  a  petition  to  Opdycke  to  discontinue  it. 

Rain  interfered  with  the  drill  on  the  24th.     Good 


FR OM  K YOER'S  DIA RY.  365 

news  from  General  Sheridan  in  the  valley  of  the  Shen- 
andoah  was  received,  which  produced  much  enthusiasm 
among  the  men  of  his  old  division.  Sheridan,  in  a  fight 
with  Early,  had  worsted  him,  captured  many  prisoners, 
and  pursued  the  rebel  force  up  the  valley. 

We  will  give  the  entry  in  diary  (Kyger's)  for  the 
25th  of  September  as  nearly  as  we  can : 

"Sunday,  September  25,  1864- — Very  pleasant.  Captain 
Patten  and  myself  received  permission  to  go  to  the  city  after  in- 
spection, at  eight  o'clock.  Took  a  direction  to  front  of  our  posi- 
tion, held  from  1st  to  25th  of  August.  On  reaching  the  reb.  line 
of  works  we  found  our  sharp-shooters  had  done  good  execution  ; 
the  head  logs  were  sticking  full  of  bullets.  After  coming  to  the 
main  line  of  reb.  works,  we  turned  to  the  right  and  west,  going 
along  the  works.  Found  them  quite  formidable,  and  showing 
plainly  the  marks  of  the  siege.  On  reaching  the  main  Atlanta 
dirt-road,  leading  in  from  the  north,  on  which  our  brigade  took 
position  July  23d,  we  turned  toward  the  city,  going  in  on  Peach- 
tree  Street.  We  came  opposite  the  barracks  where  the  rebs.  con- 
fined our  prisoners,  but  now  it  is  vice  versa;  there  are  about  eleven 
hundred  rebs.  confined  there.  It  is  a  town  block  surrounded  by  a 
high  plank  fence,  with  a  few  ill  structures  inside  for  shelter,  having 
the  appearance  of  being  a  filthy  place.  From  here  we  went  on 
Marietta  Street.  Going  along,  we  came  to  a  residence,  in  front 
of  which  we  halted.  We  observed  many  holes  through  the 
front  of  the  house,  which  had  been  made  by  our  shot  and  shell. 
There  was  a  man  at  the  gate,  whom  we  approached,  and  on  ques- 
tioning, found  him  to  be  the  owner  and  a  Union  man.  He  had 
remained  at  home  with  his  family  during  the  siege.  Seven  shots 
passed  through  his  house,  but  fortunately  did  no  further  damage. 
The  man's  name  was  Fort ;  he  was  from  Maine,  and  had  come  to 
this  place  seven  years  ago,  to  get  his  position  as  foreman  in  Win- 
ship  &  Co.'s  machine-shop.  Since  the  Rebellion  commenced  he 
has  been  keeping,  as  hands,  as  many  Union  men  as  he  could  to 
keep  them  exempt  from  impressment  into  reb.  service.  He  saved 
the  machinery  of  the  shops  for  the  Yankees,  by  boxing  it 
up  and  feigning  a  disposition  to-  send  it  South,  until  it  was  too 
late.  His  shop  was  all  the  one  which  had  the  machinery  left  in 
it  in  the  city,  and  it  is  now  running  for  the  '  Yankees.'  I  plucked 
a  sprig  from  an  evergreen  shrub  in  his  yard  [for  a  relic].  We 


366        KYQER  AND  PATTEN  GOT  LEFT. 

coatinued  our  ramble,  going  on  down  the  railroad  and  through 
the  above  spoken-of  machine-shop ;  found  it  running.  The  portion 
of  the  city  we  passed  through  was  badly  injured  by  shot  and 
shell ;  some  of  the  houses  having  as  high  as  twenty  holes  through 
them.  We  went  to  the  Trout  House ;  took  dinner ;  a  pretty  good 
one.  1  o'clock  P.  M. — Went  out  on  the  street,  and,  to  our  surprise, 
not  a  square  from  us  was  the  advance  of  our  brigade.  We  hast- 
ened to  it,  to  ascertain  why  it  was  there.  The  73d  was  the  second 
regiment,  and  we  were  told  that  orders  had  come  for  the  2d  Division 
to  report  at  Chattanooga  for  temporary  duty,  and  had  about  twenty 
minutes  only  in  which  to  get  ready  to  march,  taking  as  much 
of  the  baggage  along  as  could  conveniently  be  taken.  Patten  and 
myself  had  to  return  to  camp  after  our  traps ;  took  down  and 
packed  our  tents  and  left  them  in  care  of  Lieutenant  Bodman, 
with  Joe  Reagan  as  guard.  On  reaching  Atlanta  again,  the 
division  had  gone,  and  there  was  no  train  to  leave  until  three 
P.  M.  on  the  26th.  Hollingsworth,  Company  C ;  Orderly  Alvord, 
Company  D  ;  and  Smith  Wright,  Company  G,  were  along  with  us. 
We  took  supper  at  the  Soldiers'  Home,  and  quarters  in  a  freight- 
car,  on  the  track  where  the  next  train  was  to  leave  from.  Had  a 
comfortable  place." 

According  to  Cassaday's  memoranda,  the  regiment  lay 
in  camp,  September  25th,  until  noon,  at  which  time 
orders  to  march  were  received,  and  regiment  moved  out 
in  a  few  minutes,  going  to  the  depot  to  take  the  train, 
as  did  the  entire  division.  When  all  were  on  the  train 
and  ready,  we  moved  out,  at  about  three  P.  M.  The 
train  kept  going  all  night;  reached  Resaca  early  on  the 
26th,  but  did  not  long  wait  at  that  point.  Getting 
under  way  again,  we  made  fairly  good  time,  arriving  at 
Chattanooga  at  two  P.  M.  Shortly  after  unloading 
from  the  train,  we  drew  rations;  then  we  went  into 
camp  on  the  side  of  Cameron  Hill. 

We  will  go  back  a  little,. and  follow  Kyger  and  Pat- 
ten and  the  three  other  members  of  the  regiment  to 
Chattanooga.  They  rested  well  in  a  freight-car  the 
night  of  the  25th;  took  breakfast  next  morning  at  the 


ARRIVE  AT  CHATTANOOGA.  367 

Soldiers'  Home,  and  drew  three  days'  rations  for  the 
boys.  They  then  made  sure  of  getting  off  on  next 
train  by  waiting  near  the  track  until  three  P.  M.,  when 
a  train  loaded  with  soldiers  of  the  16th  Corps,  going 
to  Rome,  started  out.  The  five  73d  men  rode  on  top 
of  a  car,  having  a  pleasant  time,  and  enjoying  the 
romantic  scenery  during  the  daylight  part  of  the  trip. 
Train  arrived  at  Kingston  at  eleven  P.  M.,  but  soon 
pulled  out  for  Rome,  leaving  the  73d  contingent,  who, 
after  getting  a  sup  of  coffee  all  around,  passed  the 
remainder  of  the  night  on  the  platform  at  the  depot. 
At  daybreak  on  the  27th  they  were  awakened  by  the 
whistle  of  a  train  rolling  toward  Chattanooga;  it 
stopped,  allowing  barely  time  for  the  boys  to  mount 
it.  Having  daylight  for  the  trip,  our  squad  took  po- 
sition on  top  the  car,  to  get  a  good  view  of  the 
country  we  had  marched  and  fought  over  to  reach 
Atlanta.  They  arrived  at  Chattanooga  by  noon,  with- 
out accident  or  incident  of  special  note.  The  regiment 
was  bivouacked  nearly  at  the  same  place  where  it  had 
stopped  for  a  time  precisely  a  year  before  this  date. 
Some  regiments  of  the  1st  and  2d  Brigades  had 
been  assigned  positions  at  forts  immediately  on 
arriving  at  Chattanooga,  but  the  3d  Brigade  went  on 
to  Bridgeport.  The  purpose  sought  to  be  accom- 
plished by  our  coming  back  was  the  protection  of  the 
railroad,  and  to  look  after,  keep  a  sharp  watch  on  the 
movements  of  Hood,  the  reckless  and  adventurous 
leader  of  the  Confederates  we  had  been  contending  with 
all  summer.  McDonald  and  A.  Jones  reported  to  Com- 
pany C  for  duty.  It  is  probable  each  of  the  other 
companies  of  the  regiment  received  a  like  re-enforce- 
ment. At  sunset  it  began  raining,  and  many  of  us 


368  GENERAL  FORREST  TROUBLESOME. 

were  without  shelter-tents.  Captain  Kyger  and  his 
lieutenant  went  to  a  building  near  by,  and  slept  till 
morning  on  a  carpenter's  bench ;  a  pretty  good  place  to 
sleep.  We  had  no  orders  to  put  up  quarters  or  arrange 
camp  at  time  of  retiring,  and  it  was  not  known  what 
the  next  day's  programme  was  to  be. 

We  were  up  at  daylight  on  September  28th,  and 
passed  the  forenoon  in  our  bivouac,  awaiting  orders. 
After  dinner  we  received  orders,  and,  in  pursuance  of 
same,  moved  without  delay  to  the  western  suburbs  of 
the  town;  had  instructions  to  fit  up  camp  as  comfort- 
ably as  we  could  with  such  lumber  and  other  material 
as  we  could  pick  up  near  at  hand.  It  was  intimated 
that  our  stay  at  this  point  would  be  too  short  to  justify 
much  trouble  in  fixing  up  camp.  The  quarters,  how- 
ever, were  much  better  when  completed  than  was  sup- 
posed possible  to  contrive  out  of  the  materials  secured 
for  the  purpose.  We  had  no  mail  on  this  date,  but  did 
have  a  report  that  Forrest  was  between  Chattanooga 
and  Nashville,  threatening  our  line  of  communications. 

We  had  warm  weather  and  a  clear  sky  September 
29th.  The  2d  Division,  14th  Corps,  came  up  from  the 
front  and  went  on  towards  Huntsville,  Alabama,  to  in- 
terpose and  try  to  head  off  the  force  commanded  by 
General  Forrest.  Lieutenant  Bodman  arrived  with 
our  baggage  from  Alanta. 

We  had  no  mail  or  other  news  on  the  30th.  Quite  a 
number  of  the  73d  attended  the  Bishop's  Minstrels  show 
at  night.  Among  them  were  Captains  Kyger,  Bennett,  and 
Lieutenant  Wolgermuth.  The  show  was  characterized 
as  a  "  complete  bore."  But  they  stayed  with  it  till  the 
close,  and  got  caught  in  a  hard  rain-storm  on  their  re- 
turn to  camp.  The  wetting  they  received,  no  doubt, 


KYQER  AND  SLAVENS.  369 

emphasized  the  bore  considerably.  Regiment  received 
orders  to  go  toward  the  front  as  guard  to  a  large  herd 
of  cattle,  but  had  instructions  to  await  further  orders. 

Saturday,  October  1st,  rain  fell  early  in  the  day. 
General  Thomas  went,  as  was  supposed,  to  Nashville. 
The  regiment  went  out  as  far  as  Mission  Ridge,  to 
start  with  cattle  for  the  front;  but  the  cattle  not  being 
all  collected,  or  from  some  other  cause  of  delay,  the 
regiment  returned  to  camp.  The  rain  ceased  and  the 
clouds  cleared  away  before  noon. 

At  five  P.  M.,  Captain  Kyger,  in  company  with 
Quartermaster  Slavens,  started  up  Lookout  Mountain. 
We  copy  entire  what  we  find  in  Kyger's  diary  for  this 
date,  and  also  October  2, 1864: 

"  When  about  half-way  up  the  mountain,  rain  commenced 
pouring  down  on  us ;  reached  top  just  after  dark ;  would  have 
had  a  pleasant  ride  and  romantic  view,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  storm.  Spent  the  night  quite  pleasantly,  with  the  quarter- 
master. 

"  October  2,  Sunday,  1864. — In  the  clouds  this  morning ;  they 
resemble  a  dense  fog.  I  visited  Captain  Cross  (wounded)  at 
officers'  hospital;  found  him  doing  well.  Ten  A.  M.,  still  can  see 
but  a  short  distance ;  rode  to  the  south  of  Summertown,  one  and 
one-half  miles,  to  see  the  extensive  hospital  arrangements  going 
up  ;  from  appearances  they  are  to  last  many  years.  Twelve  noon. — 
The  clouds  are  passing  off;  prospect  of  a  pleasant  afternoon. 
Took  dinner  with  Quartermaster  Slavens's  mess  by  request. 
Slavens  went  off  the  mountain  this  morning,  to  start  to  Louis- 
ville, Kentucky,  to  get  a  corn-crushing  mill. 

"  Two  P.  M.,  Summertown. — This  has  been  a  pleasant  resort  in  its 
palmy  days ;  four  large  hotels,  one  of  them  four  stories  high,  and 
numerous  dwellings,  mostly  one-story ;  all  occupied  now  as  hospitals. 

"  Three  P.  M.,  on  Lookout  Point. — Here  I  beheld  the  most  beauti- 
ful prospect,  of  a  sublime  character,  that  I  ever  looked  on.  The 
rippling  Tennessee  River,  winding  down  between  the  mountain 
peaks,  skirted  on  each  side  by  a  heavy  forest;  and  beyond  it;  to 
the  north  lay  Waldron's  Ridge;  to  the  east  lay  Mission  Ridge,  and 

24 


370  GUARDING  CATTLE. 

far  beyond  it  seem  to  roll  up  ridge  after  ridge  until  the  eye 
rests  on  the  mountains  which  form  the  western  boundary  of 
Carolina.  To  the  south  and  west  there  seemed  to  be  a  vast  ex- 
tent of  ridges  and  peaks  covered  with  dense  forests,  and  the  valleys 
dotted  with  farms.  Near  this  point  of  the  mountain,  and  eighteen 
hundred  feet  below,  lies  the  busy  military  town  of  Chattanooga 
in  a  north-easterly  direction,  its  suburbs  dotted  with  camps.  En- 
circling Chattanooga  are  two  lines  of  heavy  rifle-pits ;  the  elevated 
points  are  made  more  prominent  by  huge  forts  with  guns  mounted 
thereon,  defying  the  advance  of  '  Johnny  Rebs.'  I  remained  on 
this  point  for  two  hours,  and  during  that  time  a  shower  of  rain 
fell  from  a  cloud  below  forming  a  complete  rainbow,  the  top  of 
which  was  about  level  with  me.  The  points  of  interest  at  nose  of 
mountain  are  Lookout  Point,  Umbrella  Rock,  and  Table  Rock, 
which  is  the  highest  point,  and  on  it  the  rebs.  had  a  battery,  from 
which  they  threw  shell  into  camps  around  the  town,  from  the  28th 
September  to  November  24, 1863.  A  light  earth-work  was  thrown 
up  to  protect  their  guns.  On  Lookout  was  their  signal  station, 
and  now  an  artist  has  a  rough  plank  house  erected,  from  which 
he  takes  photographs,  seating  the  subjects  on  the  point  of  the  rocks 
if  they  wish. 

"  I  left  this  point  of  interest  and  called  on  Captain  Cross  again. 
Took  supper  at  the  officers'  club,  in  company  with  a  Lieutenant 
Swisher.  Rain  commenced  pattering  again ;  started  down  the 
mountain;  reached  camp  after  dark.  The  regiment  has  gone  out 
to  take  charge  of  the  drove  of  cattle,  to  go  to  Cartersville.  I  do 
not  have  to  go ;  Lieutenant  Newlin  has  gone.  They  have  orders 
to  remain  until  further  orders,  before  starting." 

The  73d  was  out  near  Mission  Ridge  with  cattle  the 
afternoon  and  night  of  October  2d.  During  the  night 
the  cattle  stampeded,  got  beyond  the  control  of  the 
guards,  and  scattered  out  all  over  the  ridge. 

It  was  raining  on  the  morning  of  October  3d.  We 
were  ordered  to  be  ready  to  march  at  daylight;  we 
moved  on  time  and  after  going  one  and  a  half  miles,  we 
halted  and  went  into  camp.  The  rain  continued  during 
the  day  and  night ;  our  situation  was  rather  uncomforta- 
ble. No  mail  was  received  on  this  date  at  the  camp  in 


GENERAL  WHEELER  THIS  TIME.  371 

Chatlanooga.      Trains  left  Chattanooga  to  run  through 
to  Nashville. 

The  regiment  was  relieved  on  October  4th  as  cattle- 
guard,  and  returned  to  the  old  camp  at  Chattanooga, 
arriving  at  seven  P.  M.  It  was  thought  unsafe,  and 
inadvisable,  to  start  through  with  the  large  herd  of 
cattle,  as  Wheeler  was  making  threatening  demonstra- 
tions, at  first  one  and  then  another  point,  between  Chat- 
tanooga and  Atlanta.  A  mail  was  received  on  this  date, 
the  first  for  several  days. 

On  Wednesday,  October  5th,  it  rained  again.  We 
received  orders  to  be  ready  to  go  in  the  direction  of 
Atlanta  by  railroad.  We  received  intelligence  to  the 
effect  that  fighting  at  Altoona  Pass  was  going  on.  We 
boarded  the  cars  at  four  P.  M.,  started  out  immediately, 
and  arrived  at  Dalton  at  eight  o'clock ;  waited  one  hour, 
and  then  ran  on  to  Resaca,  six  regiments  strong  on 
two  trains ;  found  the  railroad  bridge  out  of  repair,  one 
span  having  been  washed  out.  Returned  to  Dalton ;  on 
account  of  rain,  we  kept  inside  the  cars.  Reports  repre- 
sented Wheeler  as  marching  on  Dalton.  Having  four- 
teen hundred  men,  all  effectives,  we  might  have  accorded 
him  a  warm  reception;  but  he  did  not  show  himself. 

Referring  to  Comrade  Cassaday's  diary,  we  find  it 
suggested  that  our  movement  to  Resaca  and  Dalton  was 
for  the  purpose  of  heading  off  Hood,  and  that  we  were 
not  sure  where  he  would  strike  the  railroad.  There 
was  some  interference  and  disturbance  of  the  wires, 
between  Resaca  and  Chattanooga,  either  by  the  storm, 
or  by  the  enemy.  The  doubt  and  uncertainty  we  were 
in,  on  this  point,  caused  skirmishers  to  be  put  out,  and 
moved  in  advance  of  the  railroad  train,  on  the  way  back 
to  Dalton.  In  other  words,  it  was  deemed  prudent  to 


372  A  GOOD  PROVIDER. 

"feel  our  way  back;"  we  arrived  at  Dalton  at  four 
A.  M.  Uncertainty  still  prevailed,  and  no  doubt  had 
something  to  do  in  determining  that  our  return  to  Chat- 
tanooga should  be  via  Cleveland. 

We  had  good  news  from  Altoona  Pass.  Our  force 
there,  though  a  small  one,  succeeded  in  repulsing  the 
rebel  force,  two  or  three  times  as  large.  At  daylight 
of  October  6th,  rain  was  just  pouring  down.  There 
were  no  signs  of  Wheeler's  approach,  and  we  received 
orders  to  return  to  Chattanooga,  but  had  to  await  re- 
pairs on  railroad  bridge  at  Chickamauga  Creek;  the 
bridge  having  partially  washed  out  the  night  of  October 
5th.  At  nine  A.  M.  the  rain  ceased  falling,  and  at 
noon  the  bugle  sounded  to  call  us  to  the  cars.  We  were 
all  on  the  train  in  due  time,  and  off  for  Chattanooga. 
We  had  to  go  around  by  Cleveland,  Tennessee,  owing 
to  damage  done  by  the  heavy  rain  to  the  railroad  bridges 
on  the  direct  line.  We  reached  Cleveland  at  five  P.  M., 
and  Chattanooga  at  eight  P.  M.  Had  an  agreeable  ride, 
circumstances  duly  considered.  Were  soon  located  in  our 
old  camp,  hoping  to  be  permitted  to  remain  long  enough 
to  dry  our  "duds"  Captain  Kyger  brought  lumber 
from  Dalton,  Georgia,  around  by  Cleveland,  Tennessee, 
to  Chattanooga,  Tennessee,  to  make  a  bunk  out  of.  As 
already  intimated,  lumber  was  scarce  at  Chattanooga; 
not  much  of  it  lying  around  loose  since  the  memorable 
siege.  Kyger  did  not  allow  State  lines  to  interfere 
with  his  making  provision  for  himself  and  family.  The 
writer  was  fortunate  in  having  Kyger  for  a  partner,  if 
he  did  snore  pretty  loudly.  Sky  clear,  and  weather 
colder  at  night-fall.  It  was  clear  and  cool  on  the  morn- 
ing of  October  7th,  with  a  light  frost.  The  73d  was 
ordered  to  Fort  Wood  to  do  garrison  duty,  while  the 


RAILROAD  ACCIDENT.  373 

125th  Ohio  went  to  Dalton.  A  few  members  of  the 
regiment  remained  in  old  camp  to  do  some  writing,  Kyger 
among  them ;  had  only  just  got  cleverly  fitted  up  there, 
bunk  made,  etc.  Saturday,  October  8th,  weather  cool 
and  a  high  wind  prevailed.  The  cars  ran  off  the  track 
between  Chattanooga  and  Dalton;  the  train  had  three 
regiments  on,  viz.:  44th,  74th,  and  88th  Illinois. 
Doctor  Ferson,  of  74th,  was  killed  ;  Colonel  Barrett, 
44th  Illinois,  and  Doctor  McPherson,  73d — but  detailed 
to  88th — were  severely  hurt  by  the  accident. 

Frost  again,  on  Sunday  morning,  October  9th.  The 
regiment  returned  to  camp  from  Fort  Wood  early  on 
this  date.  In  the  afternoon,  Captains  Morgan,  Kyger, 
and  Lieutenant  Tilton,  took  a  stroll  to  look  at  a  fort 
where  some  heavy  guns  were  mounted,  four  one-hun- 
dred-pounders ;  continuing  their  jaunt,  they  went  on  and 
examined  the  stone  fort,  in  process  of  erection  at  this 
time,  which  promised  to  be  a  splendid  as  well  as  a  sub- 
stantial structure,  in  the  opinion  of  the  visitors.  From 
the  stone  fort  they  went  to  the  hospital,  to  see  Colonel 
Barrett  and  Doctor  McPherson,  and  were  gratified  to 
find  both  doing  well,  and  in  a  fair  way  to  recover  from 
their  injuries  received  in  the  railroad  accident  of  the 
preceding  day. 

On  Monday,  October  10.  1864,  work  was  recom- 
menced on  all  the  fortifications  about  Chattanooga.  The 
cause  of  this  was  the  many  rumors  that  Hood  was 
marching  in  force  in  our  direction.  There  was  no  con- 
firmation of  these  various  conflicting  rumors  during  the 
day.  There  was  no  news  or  noteworthy  event  to 
specially  mark  Tuesday,  October  11,  1864 ;  all  quiet. 

On  Wednesday,  October  12th,  a  part  of  the  regiment 
went  on  picket.  Our  sentries  stood  very  nearly  on  the 


374  ANOTHER  MOVEMENT. 

same  line  where  they  stood  one  year  before ;  the  reserve 
was  posted  at  exactly  the  same  point  where  it  was 
placed  the  preceding  year.  A  shower  of  rain  fell  late 
in  the  afternoon,  interfering  somewhat  with  the  deliver- 
ing of  refreshments  from  camp  to  the  officers  on  picket. 
Fair  and  cooler  weather  on  Thursday,  October  13th. 
Another  part  of  the  regiment,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Van  Winkle,  was  sent  out  to  relieve  the  detail,  which 
had  been  on  picket  for  twenty-four  hours,  the  latter  re- 
turning to  camp. 

The  125th  Illinois  came  in  from  Huntsville,  October 
14th,  and  reported  Forrest  as  being  safely  south  of  the 
Tennessee  River,  with  a  loss  of  a  few  stragglers  and  a 
small  part  of  his  train.  At  ten  P.  M.  of  14th,  we  re- 
ceived orders  to  prepare  to  take  the  field;  store  all 
extra  baggage,  etc.  It  being  late,  we  did  not  execute 
the  order,  but  went  to  bed  instead. 

We  arose  at  an  early  hour  on  Saturday,  October 
15th,  and  were  directed  to  await  further  orders  before 
packing  up  superfluous  luggage.  At  ten  A.  M.  re- 
ceived orders  to  be  ready  to  go  aboard  the  cars  at 
twelve,  noon ;  take  all  baggage  along.  At  the  instance 
of  Captain  Kyger,  Captain  Baker  relieved  J.  S.  Peck, 
from  guarding  commissary  stores,  and  had  him  report 
to  his  company — C — for  duty.  Four  P.  M.,  our  bag- 
gage all  at  the  Georgia  depot,  and  1st  and  2d  Brigades 
on  the  cars.  Left  our  baggage  in  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Bodman.  The  train  started,  and  kept  going  on  the 
Georgia  Railroad  until  we  reached  Ringgold,  where  we 
stopped,  but  remained  in  the  cars  all  night.  The  object 
of  this  move  was  to  check  a  raid  that  was  expected. 
The  rebels  had  already  torn  up  seven  miles  of  track 
south  of  Kingston,  and  nearly  thirty  miles  north  of  that 


RETURN  TO  CHATTANOOGA.  375 

point;  they  had  also  captured  the  garrison  at  Dalton, 
and  driven,  or  scared,  the  115th  Illinois  away  from 
Tunnel  Hill,  Ringgold,  and  all  the  stockades  along  the 
road  to  near  Chattanooga.  Sherman  was  so  close  upon 
the  heels  of  the  rebels  that  they  could  not  hold  the  road. 

Very  early  on  the  16th  we  had  orders  to  start  back 
to  Chattanooga  at  daylight;  we  started  at  six  o'clock 
and  arrived  at  eight  A.  M.  We  had  a  report  that  the 
rebels  were  moving  in  the  direction  of  Bridgeport, 
Alabama.  We  did  not  get  off'  the  cars  on  reaching 
Chattanooga,  but  went  west  on  the  Chattanooga  and 
Nashville  Road ;  halted  at  Shell  Mound,  twenty-one 
miles  from  Chattanooga,  to  await  orders.  While  wait- 
ing, a  few  members  of  the  regiment  (relic-hunters,  per- 
haps) visited  Nickajack  Cave.  Not  being  aware  of  the 
length  of  time  at  their  disposal,  the  visitors  did  not 
penetrate  very  far  into  the  cave,  or  try  to  find  out  any 
particulars  concerning  it.  There  was  quite  a  large 
entrance  to  the  cave  and  a  stream  of  water  flowing 
out  of  it,  large  enough  to  run  a  saw  and  grist  mill. 
Visitors  to  the  cave  arrived  at  the  train  in  good  time, 
as  we  ran  back  seven  miles  on  the  road  to  Whitesides, 
where  we  remained  over  night.  The  greater  portion  of 
the  regiment  passed  the  night  on  the  cars;  the  remain- 
der made  preparations  for  sleep  on  the  ground  near  the 
railroad  track.  The  writer  and  his  captain  did  the 
latter,  and  slept  soundly. 

On  Monday  morning,  October  17th,  we  were  aroused 
early,  so  as  to  be  ready  to  go  to  Bridgeport.  We 
started  at  six  A.  M.,  and  at  eight  o'clock  arrived  at 
Bridgeport.  Were  ordered  off  the  cars  to  prepare  and 
eat  breakfast.  At  this  point  we  joined  3d  Brigade, 
which  had  been  at  Bridgeport  since  September  26th, 


376         AT  BRIDGEPORT— BACK  TO  CHATTANOOGA. 

having,  comparatively,  a  nice  easy  time.  Our  division 
was  all  at  Bridgeport  on  this  date.  It  could  not  be 
told  with  any  degree  of  certainty  what  the  next  move 
would  be.  Rumor  had  it  that  we  would  go  to  Steven- 
son. At  four  P.  M.  we  were  notified  that  we  would 
remain  at  Bridgeport  over  night.  At  nine  P.  M.  we 
received  orders  to  get  up  early  on  October  18th,  and 
be  ready  to  mount  railroad  train  at  seven  o'clock. 
Accordingly  we  were  up  at  daylight  of  the  18th,  got 
breakfast  and  were  aboard  the  cars  by  eight  o'clock, 
and  rolled  out  for  Chattanooga  at  8.30.  We  arrived  at 
Chattanooga  at  eleven  A.  M.,  and  a  few  minutes  later 
we  had  orders  to  have  dinner  over  and  be  ready 
to  march ;  to  store  all  equipage  which  we  could  not 
carry  along,  as  no  transportation  could  be  allowed  us. 
At  three  P.  M.  our  (1st)  brigade  and  the  2d  wer»  on 
the  march,  going  toward  the  Chickamauga  battle-field. 
We  reached  Rossville  at  sunset,  and  then  took  the  left- 
hand  road,  the  same  one  over  which  we  traveled  the 
night  of  September  20,  1863,  when  going  to  the  ex- 
treme left  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  We 
marched  on  very  steadily,  passing  over  the  battle-field 
long  after  night-frill.  Having  only  the  starlight,  we  could 
not  see  many  signs  or  marks  of  the  fierce  struggle  we 
had  participated  in  thirteen  months  before.  We  arrived 
at  Lee  &  Gordon's  Mills  at  ten  P.  M.,  having  marched 
fourteen  miles.  We  halted  for  the  night  very  will- 
ingly, as  we  were  all  exceedingly  tired.  The  2d  Di- 
vision of  the  14th  Army  Corps,  with  two  thousand 
head  of  cattle  and  a  wagon-train,  was  at  this  point  on 
this  date. 

Weather  cool,  early  October  19th;  some  frost.     On 
examination,  we  found  we  were  bivouacked  very  nearly 


CHICKAMAUGA  BATTLE-FIELD.  377 

on  the  same  ground  where  we  formed  in  line  of  battle 
precisely  thirteen  months  before  this  date.  Captains 
Bennett  and  Kyger  visited  the  125th  Illinois.  All  the 
members  of  Holloway's  company  that  were  present 
were  found  to  be  in  good  health  and  spirits;  Will 
Frazier  being  mentioned  in  Kyger's  diary  as  a  fair 
sample  of  the  whole  company.  The  2d  Division,  14th 
Corps,  moved  out  at  seven  A.  M.,  leaving  one  thou- 
sand head  of  cattle  for  the  2d  Brigade  of  our  division  to 
drive  and  have  in  charge.  We  started  at  8.30  A.  M., 
going  past  Crawfish  Springs,  on  the  Catlett's  Gap  road  to 
Lafayette.  The  gap  is  two  and  one-half  miles  long,  with 
a  fairly  good  road  passing  through,  with  heavy  timber 
on  each  side,  producing  a  feeling  of  lonesomeness  and 
solemnity.  The  hills  on  either  side  are  about  eight 
hundred  feet  high.  After  sunset  we  halted  one-half 
mile  north  of  Lafayette,  to  pass  the  night,  having 
marched  seventeen  miles  since  morning. 

We  were  up  at  four  o'clock  of  the  20th,  to  march 
at  five,  but  did  not  get  started  till  six.  We  marched 
through  Lafayette,  a  small  country  town,  with  only  a 
few  houses  occupied  at  the  time.  Passing  on,  we 
marched  on  the  Broomtown  road,  in  the  direction  of 
Alpine,  Georgia.  Twelve  miles  was  the  distance  trav- 
eled on  this  date,  before  halting  for  the  night  on  the 
bank  of  Chattooga  Creek. 

Friday  morning,  October  21, 1864,  we  were  up  at  four 
o'clock,  with  orders  to  report  at  brigade  head-quarters 
at  five,  to  take  charge  of  the  drove  of  cattle.  Reported 
on  time,  and  started  immediately,  marching  at  a  mod- 
erate rate  and  stopping  frequently  during  the  forenoon ; 
but  in  the  afternoon  we  marched  steadily,  though  not 
rapidly.  At  five  P.  M.  we  arrived  at  Alpine,  and 


378  AT  ALPINE  AGAIN. 

turned  all  the  cattle  over  to  the  2d  Division,  14th 
Army  Corps,  except  one  hundred  head,  and  went  into 
camp,  with  left  of  our  (1st)  brigade  resting  in  Alpine. 
The  2d  Brigade  went  to  foot  of  Lookout  Mountain,  four 
miles  distant.  /< 

Saturday,  October  22d.  —  The  14th  Army  Corps 
started  early  to  the  front,  with  cattle  and  train.  We 
did  not  move,  but  had  orders  to  send  out  foraging 
parties.  The  valley  abounded  in  corn,  potatoes,  and 
hogs,  of  which  we  gathered  in  a  supply.  Captain  Pat- 
ten, Sergeant-Major  Joseph  Garrett,  Commissary  Ser- 
geant Hoskinson,  John  Rush,  Captains  Morgan  and 
Kyger,  took  a  stroll  early  on  Sunday,  October  23d, 
going  up  on  the  side  of  Lookout  Mountain  to  hunt  for 
chestnuts,  bringing  back  only  what  they  had  eaten, 
at  two  P.  M.  No  relics  mentioned  in  this  connec- 
tion. The  main  part  of  our  forces,  charged  with  the 
business  of  keeping  watch  on  Hood's  movements,  were 
reported  as  being  thirteen  miles  south-west  of  Alpine, 
on  Little  River.  We  had  no  reports  on  this  date 
(23d)  respecting  the  whereabouts  or  doings  of  the 
rebel  force. 

All  was  quiet  on  Monday,  October  24th.  There 
was  no  news  except  a  rumor  that  the  3d  Brigade  of 
our  2d  Division  would  soon  join  us.  Major  Mother- 
spaw  and  Lieutenant  Presson,  Company  E,  reported  to 
the  regiment  for  duty  at  four  P.  M. 

Tuesday,  October  25th,  was  a  delightful  day.  We 
were  on  picket;  had  a  quiet  time.  Our  brigade  com- 
mander, Colonel  Opdycke,  visited  our  station  and  told 
us  of  General  Sheridan's  victory  of  the  19th  of  Octo- 
ber, in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  which  was  welcome 


ABUNDANCE  OF  FOOD.  379 

intelligence  to  us,  both  on  account  of  the  victory 
itself,  and  on  account  of  the  fresh  laurels  our  old  divis- 
ion commander  was  winning.  General  Bradley  and  his 
(3d)  brigade  passed  our  position  on  the  way  to  join  divis- 
ion. Among  the  number  of  acquaintances  recognized 
as  the  3d  Brigade  passed,  were  Captain  J.  S.  Price  and 
Adjutant  W.  H.  Lamb,  of  the  79th  Illinois ;  they  were 
in  hopeful  spirits.  We  were  relieved  from  picket  at 
five  P.  M.,  by  a  detail  from  the  74th  Illinois.  Major 
Motherspaw,  not  having  completed  arrangements  for 
quarters  since  his  return  from  Illinois,  slept  the  night 
of  this  date  at  head-quarters  of  Company  C,  with  Kyger 
and  the  writer  (W.  H.  Newlin).  The  major  reported 
that  Illinois  was  certain  to  cast  her  vote  for  Abraham 
Lincoln  in  the  then  approaching  Presidential  election. 
"  Good  for  that ;  he  is  our  man,"  was  Captain  Kyger's 
hearty  ejaculation  on  hearing  this  prophecy. 

All  quiet  on  Wednesday,  October  26th,  except  the 
skirmishing  for  hogs  in  the  valley.  The  honey  was 
not  overlooked  either,  but  was  brought  in,  and  helped 
make  up  our  rather  full  and  superior  bill  of  fare.  We 
were  getting  even  now,  by  living  at  the  opposite  ex- 
treme of  fare  to  that  we  had  to  put  up  with  during  the 
siege  of  Chattanooga.  Our  rations  were  abundant  and 
of  excellent  quality. 

It  was  raining  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  October 
27th.  It  was  expected  our  stay  in  the  valley  would 
be  prolonged  for  several  days,  and  there  was  an  order 
issued  requiring  Captain  Hatch  to  go  to  Chattanooga 
for  our  pay-rolls.  At  eleven  A.  M.  the  1st  and  3d 
Divisions  of  our  corps  were  reported  near  us ;  report 
soon  confirmed  by  the  appearance  of  General  Stanley 


380  ON  THE  MARCH. 

at  the  head-quarters  of  our  division.  Then  came 
another  rumor  that  the  whole  corps  would  move,  and  re- 
port at  Chattanooga  as  soon  as  practicable.  Later,  the 
various  details,  that  had  been  out  at  different  mills, 
came  in.  As  late  as  five  P.  M.  we  were  still  expecting 
orders  to  march,  but  the  1st  and  3d  Divisions  passed 
by  and  went  into  camp  for  the  night,  a  short  distance 
to  our  rear.  At  eight  P.  M.  orders  came  for  us  to  get 
ready  to  move  at  ten  A.  M.  of  28th. 

The  sky  became  clear  and  the  weather  cool  by 
the  morning  of  October  28th;  there  was  a  light  frost. 
Orders  to  march  at  eight  were  received.  We  drew  four 
days'  rations  and  marched  out  at  8.30  A.  M.,  our  brigade 
in  advance  of  division,  1st  and  3d  Divisions  in  advance 
of  ours.  We  retraced  the  road  we  had  just  advanced 
over,  and  supposed  we  were  going  back  to  Chattanooga. 
We  marched  steadily  all  day,  not  halting  for  dinner. 
The  road  was  in  splendid  condition,' and  we  made  good 
progress ;  marched  twenty-four  miles  by  six  P.  M.,  at 
which  time  we  halted  one-half  mile  south  of  Lafayette. 
The  4th  Corps  was  all  encamped  near  that  point.  At 
nine  P.  M  we  received  orders  to  march  at  six  next 
morning. 

All  the  men  of  the  regiment  were  up  by  the  time 
this  order  was  received,  and  all  were  weary,  too. 
Reveille  sounded  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
October  29th — Saturday.  Had  breakfast  over  by  five 
o'clock,  and  a  little  later  discovered  there  was  a  heavy 
frost.  We  started  on  the  march  at  6.15  A.  M.,  the  73d 
in  advance  of  the  brigade.  We  marched  steadily  on 
until  twelve  o'clock  noon  ;  then  halted  fifteen  minutes 
for  dinner.  While  waiting,  Captains  Patten  and  Kyger 
applied  for  and  received  permission  to  go  over  the 


ON  BA  TTLE-FIELD  AGAIN.  381 

Chiekamauga  battle-field.  We  copy  the  entry  in 
Kyger's  diary  which  relates  to  this  visit  in  full  as  we 
find  it,  as  follows  : 

"  We  first  went  and  recognized  the  point  where  we  lay  in  line  or 
battle  over  night  of  September  19,  1863.  From  there  we  went 
on  the  road  leading  to  Widow  Glenn's  bouse,  which  we  passed 
over  before  daylight  of  the  20th,  and  near  this  house  we  remained 
until  12  M.  on  that  day ;  the  house  is  still  here,  but  uninhabited. 
Captains  Ingersoll  and  Burroughs,  Lieutenants  Van  Winkle  and 
Bailey,  Chaplain  Jaquess,  and  several  enlisted  men  joined  our 
squad,  and  from  there  we  took  the  road  which  went  along  to  the 
field  of  battle,  recognizing  our  old  path  ;  found  the  grounds  on 
which  we  had  halted  before  going  into  the  charge ;  followed  down 
the  way  we  had  gone.  Here  and  there  we  found  graves  in  the 
field,  but  without  anything  to  show  who  had  fallen  and  lay  there 
in  the  little  mound.  On  reaching  the  line  on  which  we  had 
halted  and  fought,  the  first  grave  we  came  to  was  Cox's,  of  Com- 
pany K;  head  and  foot  board  up  to  mark  the  spot,  his  name 
carved  on  head-board,  and  a  portion  of  his  knapsack  lying  near 
with  his  name  still  very  legible  on  it.  I  went  to  the  spot  on 
which  Company  C  fought,  and  at  the  very  point,  and  near  the 
pine-tree,  where  Art  Terrell  fell,  there  was  another  grave,  with  a 
half-barrel  head  up  at  the  head  and  foot,  no  letters  cut  on  them. 
I  have  not  the  least  doubt  but  there  is  where  Art  lies.  It  is 
about  five  feet  north  of  the  pine-tree,  and  under  the  boughs  of  a 
little  scrubby  oak,  which  comes  up  at  the  root  of  the  large  tree 
and  leans  over  the  grave.  There  is  a  very  small  pine  just  at  the 
edge  of  the  grave,  from  which  I  took  a  bough,  as  a  relic  in  mem- 
ory of  the  brave  boy  who  lies  there.  The  large  pine-tree  had  ten 
scars  of  bullets  on  it,  nine  on  the  reb.  side.  I  cut  out  four  of  them 
with  my  hatchet ;  three  from  reb.  side  and  one  from  Yankees',  and 
cut  a  hickory  shrub  from  the  extreme  right  and  a  little  to  the 
rear  of  C's  position,  and  an  ash  from  off  the  edge  of  the  ditch  we 
retreated  over,  and  in  which  so  many  sought  shelter  after  being 
wounded.  All  these  grounds  looked  quite  natural.  The  only 
marked  changes  were  the  high  weeds  grown  up  in  the  field  over 
which  we  passed,  and  the  fence  gone  from  around  the  field, 
burned.  After  being  on  the  field  three  hours,  we  passed  on  to 
Rossville  road,  and  followed  up  to  the  regiment ;  found  it  in  camp 
at  Rossville." 


382  AT  CHATTANOOGA  AGAIN. 

The  command  bivouacked  at  Rossville  at  4.30  P.  M. 
The  party  that  inspected  the  battle-field,  arrived  there 
just  before  dark.  There  were  rumors  in  camp  that  we 
were  going  to  Huntsville,  Alabama.  At  eleven  P.  M. 
we  received  orders  to  march  at  six  o'clock  next  morn- 
ing ;  we  were  also  advised  that  an  officer  from  each 
company  would  be  allowed  to  go  on  to  Chattanooga  for 
valises  or  other  articles,  as,  from  Chattanooga  on,  some 
little  transportation  would  be  furnished  them ;  where- 
upon Lieutenants  Van  Winkle  and  Phelps,  and  Captain 
Kyger  started  to  overtake  a  train  that  had  gone  to 
Chattanooga  for  rations.  They  failed  to  catch  the  train, 
and  were  obliged  to  go  on  foot  the  whole  distance, 
arriving  at  the  Georgia  depot  at  12.15  A.  M.,  of  October 
30th,  making  for  this  squad  a  march  of  twenty-seven 
miles  the  day  and  night  of  29th,  while  the  regiment 
marched  only  twenty-one  miles  on  29th. 

On  the  morning  of  October  30th,  we  marched  to  the 
foot  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  bivouacked  just  south 
of  Chattanooga  Creek.  There  were  some  indications 
that  we  would  be  paid  off  before  leaving  this  point. 
The  officers  that  went  to  Chattanooga  during  the  pre- 
ceding night  returned  to  the  regiment  by  2.30  P.  M. 
The  pay-rolls  were  duly  signed,  and  the  paymaster  was 
somewhere  in  the  division,  busy  distributing  funds.  At 
4.30  P.  M.,  Major  Motherspaw  and  Captain  Kyger  rode 
to  town,  attended  to  the  business  in  hand,  and  returned. 
Notwithstanding  the  signing  of  pay-rolls  and  the 
presence  of  the  paymaster  with  cash,  it  was  evident  that 
orders  and  our  movement  indicated  that  the  whole  4th 
Corps  would  soon  go  to  Huntsville,  Alabama. 

Monday  morning,  October  31st,  orders  for  the  corps 
train  to  go  through  to  Bridgeport  were  received.  The 


NORTHERN  ALABAMA.  383 

troops  were  to  take  the  cars  in  the  afternoon,  or  as  soon 
as  trains  could  be  made  up.  The  paymaster  was  en- 
gaged in  the  course  of  the  day  paying  the  88th  Illinois. 
In  the  afternoon  Lieutenant  Tilton  and  Captain  Kyger 
went  to  Chattanooga,  to  attend  to  some  small  but  neces- 
sary errands  for  the  regiment,  but  returned  at  five  P.  M. 

After  sunset,  Tilton,  Kyger,  and  the  writer  went  to 
Chattanooga,  and  attended  the  Bishop  show,  first  getting 
a  "  square  meal "  at  a  restaurant;  arrived  at  the  bivouac 
at  10.15  P.  M.  The  3d  Brigade  was  moving  to  the 
cars  at  10.30,  the  2d  Brigade  having  moved  at  ten 
P.  M.,  leaving  our  brigade  behind  to  bring  up  the  rear 
of  corps. 

We  were  up  at  daylight  on  Tuesday,  November  1st, 
with  orders  to  march  promptly  at  eight  o'clock.  Started 
on  time;  went  directly  to  Chattanooga  depot,  and  halted 
until  11.15  A.  M.  when  our  brigade  got  aboard  the  cars 
(two  trains)  and  moved  out  immediately  on  Nashville 
Railroad.  We  reached  Stevenson,  Alabama,  at  three 
P.  M.,  remained  there  one-half  hour;  then  our  train 
moved  out  on  railroad  toward  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and 
just  at  dark  arrived  at  Larkinsville,  Alabama.  Between 
Stevenson  and  this  point  the  country  was  swampy  and 
flat  the.  greater  part  of  the  way.  It  was  thought  our 
car-ride  would  end  on  reaching  Athens ;  at  least  we  were 
so  notified. 

We  moved  on,  leaving  Larkinsville  in  our  rear,  and 
daylight  of  November  2d  found  us  at  a  "  stand-still," 
within  three-quarters  of  a  mile  of  Athens.  We  got  out 
of  the  cars,  and  orders  were  received  at  6.30  to  be 
ready  to  march  at  eight  A.  M.  Rain  had  commenced 
falling  early  in  the  morning,  and  by  the  time  we  started 
the  road  was  very  muddy  and  slippery.  We  pushed 


384  RAIN— HARD  MARCHING. 

ahead,  however,  and  at  nine  A.  M.  were  halted  in  the 
court-house  yard,  to  draw  one  day's  rations  and  sixty 
rounds  of  ammunition  for  each  man;  the  more  ammuni- 
tion the  less  rations.  The  garrison  at  Athens  surrendered 
to  Forrest  when  on  his  raid  some  six  weeks  before  this 
date.  Forrest  burned  two  block  houses,  and  destroyed 
a  train  of  cars  at  same  time.  Before  the  war  Athens 
had  been  a  rather  nice  county  town,  but  at  this  date 
was  considerably  disfigured  and  defaced.  The  court- 
house and  three  other  large  brick  buildings  near  the 
square  had  been  burried  at  different  times,  each  side  or 
party  having  had  a  hand  in  the  burning.  From  Athens 
to  Pulaski,  the  railroad  track  and  bridges  had  been  de- 
stroyed by  rebel  raiders.  On  starting  out  from  the 
court-house  grounds,  the  73d  marched  in  rear  of  the  di- 
vision ;  the  1st  and  3d  Divisions  had  gone  on  ahead  of 
ours.  At  4.30  P.  M.  we  halted,  with  orders  to  stop  for 
the  night,  only  three  miles  north  of  Athens.  We  left 
town  at  two  P.  M.,  but  the  rain  continuing,  made  the 
road  very  muddy  and  marching  exceedingly  slavish  and 
wearisome.  The  creeks  and  branches  were  all  "bank 
full,"  and  rain  still  coming  down. 

Thursday  morning,  November  3d,  it  was  the  same; 
rain  falling  as  though  it  was  going  to  be  an  all-day  job 
raining.  We  remained  quietly  in  bivouac,  and  shortly 
after  "  hard-tack "  and  coffee  had  been  dispensed,  we 
got  orders  to  await  further  orders.  The  general  im- 
pression was  that  we  could  not  cross  Elk  River,  and 
would  have  to  go  back  to  Athens,  remount  the  cars,  and 
go  to  Stevenson  and  from  thence  to  Nashville.  The 
rain  continued,  but  nevertheless  we  got  orders  at  11.45 
A.  M.  to  dispatch  dinner  and  be  ready  to  march.  We 
moved  at  two  P.  M.  over  a  road  almost  wholly  sub- 


CROSSING  ELK  RIVER.  385 

merged  in  water.  But  what  of  that?  Our  feet,  socks, 
and  shoes  were  in  such  plight  that  we  had  just  as  well 
walk  or  wade  in  one  place  as  another.  It  was  all  "  of  a 
whatness ;"  our  feet  were  soaked  anyhow.  We  plodded 
along  until  dark,  and  then  went  into  camp,  after  drag- 
ging ourselves  about  ten  miles.  In  going  through  the 
country  on  this  day,  we  passed  only  two  farms.  The 
surface  was  level  and  the  soil  very  thin  in  the  region 
of  country  where  farms  were  few,  and  where  oak, 
hickory,  and  chestnut  timber  abounded. 

Next  morning,  November  4th,  the  weather  was  much 
cooler;  a  high  wind  prevailed,  but  the  rain  was  still 
"drizzling  "  down.  At  eight  A.  M.  we  started  out  again 
in  rear  of  the  division  and  of  the  artillery,  reached 
Elk  River  by  eleven  A.  M.,  and  halted  for  dinner  and 
to  give  the  train  time  to  cross  over.  At  1.30  P.  M.  our 
brigade  marched  to  the  river,  and  began  taking  off 
clothes  preparatory  to  wading  the  stream.  Pants, 
drawers,  shoes,  and  socks  were  taken  off;  shoes,  how- 
ever, were  put  on  again.  The  clothing  thus  taken  off 
was  bundled  up,  and  carried  on  our  guns  and  swords 
across  our  shoulders,  to  keep  them  high  and  dry.  On 
taking  the  water  we  found  it  quite  cold  and  "crotch- 
deep."  Near  north  bank,  and  just  to  the  left  of  the 
road,  stood  General  Harney's  house.  Before  leaving  the 
river,  however,  we  got  on  our  clothing.  Harney's  house 
was  a  large  log  structure,  dilapidated  in  appearance, 
and  untenanted.  We  crossed  the  river  at  "Harney's 
Ford."  Nearly  opposite  Harney's  house  we  struck  the 
pike  leading  to  Pulaski,  fifteen  miles  distant.  As  soon 
as  we  got  up  to  the  higher  ground  "  second  bottom," 
we  arrived  at  a  small  town — Elkton — which,  at  one 
time  before  the  war,  had  been  quite  a  business  point, 

25 


386  REACH  PULASKI,  TENNESSEE. 

but  was  almost  deserted  on  this  date.  We  halted  at 
the  outskirts  of  Elkton  until  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades 
and  the  artillery  had  passed  on.  Then  our  brigade 
moved,  at  precisely  two  P.  M.,  and  at  seven  P.  M.  we 
went  into  camp  on  Buchanan  Creek,  after  marching 
eleven  miles  during  the  day.  Marching  along  the  pike, 
we  passed  several  nice-looking  residences  on  good  farms; 
but  improvements  were  all  in  bad  condition,  in  need  of 
repairs,  and  the  fences  had  been  burned  by  the  soldiers. 
The  country  was  much  better  drained  naturally,  and 
more  rolling  than  the  country  south  of  Elk  River. 

Saturday  morning,  November  5th,  there  was  a  white 
frost  and  ice  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  thick.  All 
having  breakfasted  and  being  otherwise  ready,  we 
marched  at  seven  A.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Pulnski  at  nine, 
after  a  four-mile  jaunt.  Pulaski,  the  county-seat  of 
Giles  County,  Tennessee,  was  a  small  town.  The  court- 
house was  a  substantial,  two-story  brick  building,  and 
presented  an  attractive  appearance.  While  passing 
through  the  town  we  learned  our  cavalry  had  been  en- 
gaged with  the  advance  of  Hood's  army  on  the  4th,  at 
a  point  about  fifteen  miles  south-west.  There  were  no 
particulars  of  the  fight  ascertained,  except  that  Hood 
was  attempting  to  cross  a  creek,  but  was  prevented  for 
the  time.  We  moved  out  one  mile  north  of  Pulaski, 
joined  the  division  and  corps,  and  went  into  camp  at 
four  P.  M.  At  time  of  going  into  camp,  cannonading 
could  be  heard  in  the  distance,  off  in  a  south-western 
direction.  The  paymaster  was  on  hand,  but  did  no 
business  in  his  line  with  the  73d. 

Weather  cold  on  Sunday  morning,  November  6th  ; 
a  strong  wind  was  blowing,  accompanied  by  a  little 
rain.  Our  camp  being  on  a  high  ridge,  we  had  no 


WORK  ON  FORTIFICA  TIOXS.  387 

protection  from  the  storm  by  way  of  breaking  its  force. 
On  the  night  of  the  5th  we  received  orders  for  one-half 
the  force,  not  doing  picket  duty,  to  be  sent  each  day 
to  work  on  fortifications.  The  73d  had  no  detail  for 
any  kind  of  duty  on  this  date,  as  it  was  expected  the 
regiment  would  be  paid  off  in  the  afternoon.  This  ex- 
pectation was  not  realized.  A  large  mail  was  received 
at  one  P.  M.;  at  two  P.  M.  orders  to  move  camp  were 
received,  and  we  moved  immediately  to  the  south- 
eastern suburbs  of  town.  It  was  intimated  that  we 
might  remain  at  this  point  several  days,  and  we  were 
instructed  to  lay  off  camp  in  order.  The  grounds  and 
location  were  well  suited  to  the  purposes  of  camp-living. 
There  were  no  tidings  concerning  Hood's  movements. 
Quarters  were  arranged  temporarily  for  the  night; 
more  attention  and  pains  were  to  be  bestowed  in  this 
line  next  day.  It  was  raining  at  8.30  P.  M.,  and  at 
about  the  same  time  orders  came  detailing  the  73d  for 
fatigue  duty  on  Monday,  November  7th.  The  town 
and  military  or  strategic  position  were  being  pretty 
well  fortified.  The  rain  continued  falling  nearly  the 
whole  night.  Our  "purp"  tents  did  not  keep  us  dry; 
the  rain  beat  through  them. 

At  seven  A.M.  Monday,  the  regiment  went  to  work 
on  the  fortifications.  Captain  Kyger  did  not  accom- 
pany the  regiment,  but  remained  in  camp  to  rehabili- 
tate and  rearrange  his  head-quarters.  At  night  they 
were  complete,  having  floor,  door,  and  bunk.  The 
regiment  returned  from  fatigue  duty  at  dark.  There  were 
no  orders,  no  report  as  to  the  whereabouts  or  doings 
of  the  main  rebel  force  at  the  close  of  the  day.  It  was 
said  the  23d  Corps  was  on  its  way  to  this  point.  This 
statement  proved  to  be  correct. 


388  AN  INFORMAL  VOTE. 

Tuesday,  November  8,  1864,  the  rain  came  down 
in  regular  Presidential-election-day  style.  The  regi- 
ment was  paid  up  to  and  including  August  31,  1864, 
by  Major  Elias  Cosper.  After  being  paid  we  worked 
on  the  breastworks,  relieving  the  24th  Wisconsin,  so 
the  men  of  that  regiment  could  vote.  The  73d  took 
a  vote  in  the  evening,  not  to  be  counted  at  home  in 
Illinois,  of  course;  that  was  not  permitted  by  the  then 
dominant  party  in  the  Legislature  of  our  State,  but  just 
to  see  how  we  stood.  Out  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-six 
voters  present,  two  hundred  and  eleven  voted  for  Lin- 
coln and  Johnson  and  seven  for  McClellan  and  Pen- 
dleton,  eighteen  not  voting.  There  were  twenty-seven 
men  present  in  Company  C;  twenty  voted  for  Lincoln, 
two  for  McClellan,  and  five  neutral.  The  vote  was 
counted  as  cast.  Owing  to  the  storm — rain  was  just 
pouring  down — we  failed  to  obtain  results  in  other 
regiments.  The  ground  was  flooded  with  water. 

November  9th,  the  storm  continued;  high  winds 
prevailed  all  day.  Everything  was  at  a  stand-still ; 
all  quiet.  The  bridges  were  down  between  Pulaski 
and  Nashville,  so  we  had  no  mail  or  other  news.  Rain 
had  ceased  falling  before  night-fall;  the  clouds  cleared 
away,  the  winds  became  calm,  and  a  white  frost  was 
visible  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  November  10th. 
A  detail  from  the  regiment  went  out  foraging  on  this 
date,  and  returned  to  camp  after  dark.  It  was  rumored 
in  camp  that  McClellan  had  carried  two  States  in  the 
election  of  November  8th,  to-wit :  Kentucky  and  New 
Jersey ;  all  the  remaining  States  voting  for  Abraham 
Lincoln.  There  were  no  trains,  so  far,  through  from 
Nashville. 

The  weather  was  delightful,  all  we  could  wish  for, 


ELECTION  NEWS.  389 

on  November  llth.  Dunn,  the  regimental  sutler — who, 
of  course,  would  be  on  hand  when  we  were  paid  off — 
and  Captain  Kyger  took  a  stroll,  going  to  the  railroad 
depot,  and  over  town,  to  see  what  they  might,  and  to 
glean  whatever  news  was  going.  All  they  got  was  a 
report  that  Delaware,  too,  had  gone  for  McClellan,  but 
that  did  not  change  the  general  result;  Lincoln  was 
elected  beyond  doubt,  and  we  turned  into  our  bunks 
thoroughly  satisfied. 

Saturday,  November  12th,  was  a  beautiful  day.  A 
detail  of  thirty  privates,  three  corporals,  and  one 
sergeant,  all  from  the  73d,  went  out  on  picket  in  charge 
of  Captain  Kyger,  and  relieved  a  similar  detail  from 
the  44th  Illinois.  The  duty,  however  was  not  all  picket 
duty;  provost  duty  at  a  contraband  camp  employed 
the  time  and  engaged  the  attention  of  a  portion  of  the 
detail.  All  was  quiet  along  our  lines.  No  mail  was 
received,  or  other  news,  on  this  date.  One  or  more 
men,  who  had  been  home  on  furlough  to  vote,  reported 
back  to  the  regiment  for  duty.  Our  corps  train  began 
to  come  in,  having  been  delayed  by  bad  roads. 

It  was  very  frosty  on  Sunday  morning,  November 
13th ;  the  ground  was  as  white  as  if  covered  with  a 
u  skift "  of  snow.  When  the  sunlight  began  to  gleam 
over  the  white,  frosted  surface  of  the  earth,  the  sight 
was  exceedingly  beautiful  to  look  upon.  The  birds 
were  singing  sweetly  and  cheerily,  there  was  a  gentle 
breeze,  and  the  quiet  which  prevailed  was  appropriate 
to  the  day.  That  portion  of  the  regiment  on  picket 
was  relieved  at  nine  A.  M.  by  a  detail  from  the  74th 
Illinois  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant.  A  railroad  train 
came  through  from  Nashville,  bringing  a  heavy  mail, 
the  first  received  since  6th  inst.  The  later  election 


390  MONEY  SENT  HOME. 

news  was  all  cheering;  there  were  Union  gains  in  all 
the  States.  The  "ultimatum"  obtained  from  Jefferson 
Davis,  at  Richmond,  through  the  visit  and  conference  of 
Colonel  Jaquess,  of  the  73d,  to  and  with  the  recognized 
head  and  leader  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  publishing  and 
spreading  abroad  of  the  said  "ultimatum,"  all  through 
the  loyal  States,  contributed  largely  to  this  glorious  re- 
sult of  the  Presidential  election  of  1864.  Far-sighted 
Colonel  Jaquess,  cool,  calculating,  and  courteous  Col- 
onel Jaquess,  had  drawn  from  the  overconfident,  unsus- 
pecting Jefferson  Davis  his  "ultimatum."  Knowledge 
of  this  "  ultimatum,"  on  the  part  of  the  mass  of  voters 
North,  knocked  the  underpinning  from  under  the 
arguments  of  the  "  Peace  Party."  We  can  now  feel 
partly  compensated  for  the  denial  to  us  of  the  privi- 
lege of  voting  for  Abraham  Lincoln  that  year. 

Monday ',  November  14^. — No  telegraphic  dispatches, 
and  no  news  of  interest  to  be  gleaned  from  the  news- 
papers. There  were  indications  of  rain,  which  came 
next  day,  November  15th.  On  this  date  a  mail  was 
received,  but  no  news  of  an  interesting  or  an  exciting 
kind,  as  was  expected.  Clothing  was  issued. 

On  Wednesday,  November  16th,  it  was  beginning 
to  be  believed  by  some  that  we  would  spend  the 
winter  at  Pulaski.  We  had  already  remained  there  a 
longer  time  than  had  been  expected  when  we  stopped. 
Considerable  sums  of  money  were  sent  from  the  regi- 
ment to  Illinois  on  this  date.  Sixteen  hundred  and 
fifty-three  dollars  were  sent  by  different  members  of 
Company  C  to  Josiah  Thompson,  Georgetown,  Illinois, 
to  be  disbursed.  More  money  had  better  been  sent, 
as  "  chuck-luck "  was  getting  to  be  "  all  the  rage," 


NE  WS  FROM  SHERMAN.  391 

and  the  camp  of  the  regiment,  once  known  as  the 
"Preacher  Regiment,"  was  resorted  to  by  scores  of 
soldiers  of  other  regiments,  who  started  and  run  banks 
in  which  the  73d  boys  had  no  hand.  No,  of  course 
not — except  occasionally  to  make  a  venture  to  test  their 
nerves  or  luck.  We  had  a  report  on  this  date  that 
General  Sherman  had  cut  loose  from  Atlanta,  and 
started  on  a  raid  that  is  now  known,  and  sung,  as 
"  marching  through  Georgia."  No  mail  was  received 
on  this  date,  owing  to  the  carelessness  or  neglect  of  the 
mail-boy. 

Raining  on  Thursday,  November  17th,  and  very 
unpleasant  weather  prevailed.  There  were  no  changes; 
all  quiet.  We  had  a  confirmation  of  the  report  of  pre- 
ceding day  respecting  Sherman's  movement.  Great 
results  were  expected  to  follow.  General  Sherman  had 
with  him  the  14th  Corps,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  Kilpatrick's  cavalry. 

November  18th,  Friday,  still  it  rained.  The  roads 
were  muddy;  mud  everywhere,  and  shoe-mouth  deep 
in  our  streets  in  camp  between  the  rows  of  tents. 
"  Chuck-luck  "  and  other  gambling  devices  were  pretty 
nearly  broken  up — got  a  very  black  eye — on  this  date, 
by  an  order  issued  from  brigade  head-quarters  to  arrest  all 
who  could  be  caught  playing,  encouraging,  or  patroniz- 
ing these  games.  Several  arrests  were  made,  and  the 
parties  were  taken  to  head-quarters  and  reprimanded 
severely,  and  told  that  they  would  surely  be  punished 
if  the  offense  was  repeated.  We  had  no  news  concern- 
ing Hood's  army. 

Saturday.,  19tk. — Rained  at  intervals  during  the  day, 
and  indications  of  fair  weather  appeared.  No  changes 


392  FORREST'S  CA VALRY. 

or  incidents  to  note.  We  had  a  report  that  Hood's 
force  had  left  Shoal  Creek;  but  for  what  point,  or  in 
what  direction  he  moved,  the  report  did  not  state. 

The  weather  was  much  cooler  on  the  20th,  Sunday. 
There  was  no  rain,  but  the  sky  was  still  cloudy. 
Captain  Kyger  and  the  writer  went  to  look  through  the 
cemetery.  On  reaching  it  we  found  Lieutenant  Wolger- 
muth  there  on  the  same  errand.  There  were  some 
nice,  costly,  and  antiquated  monuments  and  tombstones 
in  the  cemetery,  and  some  vaults,  or  receptacles,  in 
which  remains  were  deposited,  not  temporarily,  but 
permanently,  above  the  surface.  At  five  P.  M.  orders 
came  requiring  us  to  be  ready  to  march  at  nine  A.  M. 
next  day ;  to  take  everything  along,  with  three  days' 
rations  in  haversacks,  and  forty  rounds  of  ammunition 
to  the  man.  It  was  further  ordered  not  to  strike  tents 
until  instructed  to  do  so  from  division  head-quarters — 
General  Wagner.  One  wagon  was  allowed  to  each  reg- 
iment, and  three  to  brigade  head-quarters.  The  imme- 
diate occasion  for  our  marching  was  the  threatening 
movements  of  Forrest's  cavalry,  which,  of  course, 
would  be  promptly  supplemented  by  Hood's  infantry 
force.  As  to  the  direction  taken  by  Forrest,  we 
were  not  apprised ;  that  would  probably  be  revealed 
later  on.  Letters  were  written  home  and  much  work 
done  late  in  the  night,  preparatory  to  the  expected 
movement. 

Monday,  November  21st,  weather  very  cool ;  a 
strong  wind  was  blowing.  At  8.30  A.  M.  snow  was 
falling,  the  first  of  the  season.  No  further  orders 
about  our  moving  were  received  on  this  date;  on  the 
contrary,  we  were  notified  at  noon  that  we  would  not 
march.  There  was  much  interest,  and  some  anxiety, 


PULASKI  EVACUATED.  393 

felt  about  the  safety  of  a  forage-train  that  went  out 
from  our  division  on  the  20th,  Sunday,  and  had  not 
reported  up  to  noon  of  this  date.  At  10.30  A.  M.  snow 
was  still  falling;  a  north  wind  blowing;  freezing  a 
little.  Snow  kept  sifting  down  all  the  afternoon.  At 
sunset  there  was  enough  snow  on  the  ground  to  com- 
pletely cover  or  conceal  it.  No  orders  as  to  moving, 
but  it  was  thought  we  would  start  next  morning.  We 
heard  nothing  further  about  Forrest's  demonstration. 

We  were  awakened  at  5.30  on  the  morning  of  No- 
vember 22d  by  the  sergeant-major,  Joseph  M.  Garrett, 
who  had  marching  orders  for  eight  A.  M.  We  were 
all  up  very  soon,  and  busy  with  preparations,  break- 
fast and  other  details.  Sky  clear  and  the  weather  cold. 
Ice  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in  thickness  was  frozen  in 
a  wash-pan.  The  ground  was  frozen  sufficiently  hard  to 
make  a  rough  surface  to  march  over.  All  ready  to 
march  at  eight,  but  we  did  not  get  off  till  8.30  A.  M. 
A  division  of  the  23d  Corps  moved  out  first,  then  our 
division  followed,  our  brigade  in  front,  2d  and  3d  in 
order.  We  did  not  know,  at  the  time  of  starting, 
whether  the  movement  was  to  be  general  or  not.  There 
seemed  to  be  much  difficulty  in  getting  at  the  exact 
state  of  affairs.  It  was  conceded  all  around,  that  some- 
thing was  "in  the  wind"  and  that  there  would  be  some 
developments  soon.  We  marched  through  town,  and 
moved  on  the  pike  toward  Nashville,  in  nearly  a  due 
northward  course,  up  the  valley  of  Richland  Creek,  a 
tributary  to  Elk  River.  At  four  P.  M.  we  arrived  at 
the  village  of  Linnville,  twelve  miles  from  Pulaski  and 
sixty-six  from  Nashville.  There  were  conflicting 
rumors  as  to  our  destination,  and  an  impression  that  the 
enemy's  movements  had  much  to  do  with  it.  The 


394  A  HALT  AT  LINNVILLE. 

weather  became  disagreeably  chilly,  the  sky  was  over- 
cast with  clouds,  and  snow  and  frost  filled  the  air;  the 
wind  was  blowing  a  stiff  gale  from  the  north  at  the  time 
of  our  halting  in  a  grove.  At  nine  P.  M.  the  sky  was 
clear,  and  the  wind  had  ceased  to  blow.  We  had 
numerous  bright  and  glowing  fires  in  our  camp.  The 
little  village  of  Linnville  had  been  almost  wholly  burned 
by  Colonel  Harmon,  of  the  125th  Illinois,  in  1863,  in 
retaliation  on  hateful  sympathizers  with  the  rebels,  for 
their  spiteful  treatment  of  Union  soldiers.  But  very 
few  houses  escaped  being  burned. 

The  morning  of  Wednesday,  November  23d,  was 
bright  and  cold,  with  promise  of  a  pleasant  day.  At 
ten  A.  M.  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  on  thirty  min- 
utes' notice  were  received.  We  rested  quite  comforta- 
bly. There  was  no  news,  and  no  indication  as  to  the 
point  or  points  we  were  going  to  move  upon.  At  four 
P.  M.  orders  came  requiring  us  to  march  immediately. 
We  got  ready  to  move  and  a  part  of  the  brigade  started 
on  the  way  and  then  returned  to  camp.  It  was  re- 
ported that  Hood's  force  was  moving  on  a  parallel  road 
to  the  pike  leading  from  Pulaski  to  Columbia,  and  on 
to  Nashville,  and  about  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  pike. 
The  force  was  said  to  be  fully  forty  thousand  strong, 
and  heading  toward  Nashville.  If  these  reports  were 
true  we  could  not,  as  we  did  not,  much  longer  remain 
inactive.  At  five  P.  M.  we  moved  to  the  north  side  of 
the  village,  and  went  into  camp  on  a  hill-side.  By  dark 
the  other  two  divisions  and  all  the  4th  Corps  train  was 
at,  or  near,  Linnville.  Pulaski  was  evacuated  by  our 
forces  early  in  the  day.  The  indications  were,  and  a 
belief  was  expressed  on  the  part  of  many,  that  we 
would  fall  back  to  Duck  Creek,  and  possibly  to  Nash- 


REFUGEES  FOLLOWED  US.  395 

ville  before  we  would  make  a  stand  against  forty  thou- 
sand rebels,  a  force  more  than  double  ours.  We  re- 
ceived no  mail  on  this  date;  the  weather  was  cool,  and 
a  high  wind  prevailed.  General  Schofield,  with  one  di- 
vision of  his  corps — 23d — came  up  and  joined  us  late 
in  the  evening;  the  other  division  of  this  corps  was  at 
Johnsonville. 

We  were  up  at  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  No- 
vember 24th,  to  be  ready  to  march  at  four  o'clock.  At 
3.30  A.  M.  we  got  orders  to  march  immediately,  and 
our  brigade  moved  out  to  the  pike  and  halted ;  re- 
mained there  one-half  hour,  when  it  was  ordered  that 
the  73d  would  be  the  rear  guard  for  the  corps  train. 
We  returned  to  our  camp,  and  waited  for  the  rear  of 
the  train  to  come  up,  which  was  at  nine  A.  M.  The 
73d  then  took  up  its  line  of  march  and  followed  on. 
Such  a  sight  as  we  witnessed  on  this  date  we  had 
never  before  beheld.  As  our  army  fell  back  from 
Pulaski,  the  negroes  abandoned  their  hovels,  taking 
along  such  things  as  they  could  carry  on  their  heads 
and  in  their  hands.  Old  and  crippled  men  and  women 
hobbled  along  with  their  loads  in  the  rear  of  our  forces. 
Mothers  carried  babes  in  addition  to  other  burdens. 
Small  children  followed  along,  many  of  them  bare- 
footed and  partly  clothed  in  rags.  Occasionally  we 
would  see  some  "Dinah"  mounted  on  a  mule,  with  a 
small  child  before  or  behind  her,  or  one  before  and  another 
behind.  Some  white  people,  too,  trudged  along  at  the 
road-side-  with  the  negroes.  Wagons,  buggies,  and  carts, 
with  mules,  horses,  and  oxen  hitched  to  them,  drawing 
loads  of  plunder  and  refugees,  helped  make  up  the 
motley  mass  and  complete  the  picture.  We  learned 
that  a  number  of  houses  were  burned  at  Pulaski  very 


396  ARRIVE  AT  COLUMBIA. 

soon  after  our  force  evacuated  that  town.  We  reached 
Columbia  on  this  date,  and  were  joined  by  a  number 
of  men  of  the  regiment  who  had  returned  from  Illinois; 
they  had  been  home  on  furlough.  Among  them  were 
Claib  Madden  and  William  Martin,  of  Company  C. 

The  work  of  the  committee  appointed  by  our  Regi- 
mental Reunion  Association  to  collect  and  arrange  evi- 
dence showing  the  part  taken  by  the  73d  in  the  cam- 
paign, from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  and  from  thence 
to  Franklin  and  Nashville,  covers  a  period  of  only  eight 
days,  from  November  24th  to  December  1st,  1864,  both 
inclusive.  It  may  seem  an  unwise  or  unjust  division 
of  space  to  allot  an  entire  chapter,  and  that  not  a  short 
one,  to  the  history  of  the  events  of  these  eight  days. 
We  have,  however,  made  such  division,  and  the  next 
chapter  shows  the  work  or  the  result  of  the  labor 
and  investigation  by  the  committee  named  above 
nearly  in  full. 

More  evidence  was  received  by  the  committee  than 
is  shown  in  the  next  chapter.  Very  few,  if  any,  of  the 
statements  received  are  incorporated  in  full,  while  one 
or  two  were  either  lost,  or  else  destroyed  under  the  im- 
pression that  they  had  been  incorporated  with  the  others. 
These  statements,  being  in  the  nature  of  evidence,  to 
prove  certain  facts,  occasion  more  or  less  repetition  in 
the  succeeding  chapter.  But  that  is  to  be  expected, 
and  allowed,  where  testimony  from  several  witnesses 
touching  the  same  facts  is  recorded.  The  two  leading 
facts  established  and  made  to  appear  prominent  by  this 
testimony  are :  First,  that  the  73d  Illinois  Infantry  was 
in  the  advance  November  29,  1864,  when  General 
Schofield's  forces  were  falling  back,  making  the  race 
with  the  Confederate  forces  to  Spring  Hill;  and,  second, 


THE  SE  VENT  Y-  THIRD  ILLINOIS.  397 

that  the  73d  Illinois  was  in  the  rear  next  day,  and  as 
one  of  the  regiments  of  Colonel  Emerson  Opdycke's 
brigade,  assisted  in  covering  the  retreat  of  the  Union 
army  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin.  We  need  not  have 
mentioned  these  two  facts,  as  they  are  made  to  appear, 
are  developed  fully,  by  the  testimony,  except  for  the 
purpose  of  stating  that  both  have  been  questioned,  dis- 
puted, or  denied. 

For  years  there  has  been  controversy  in  magazine 
and  newspaper  articles  as  to  whose  or  what  command 
covered  the  retreat  or  acted  as  "  rear  guard "  of  the 
army  on  November  30,  1864,  as  it  fell  back  to  Harpeth's 
Creek.  Some  writers,  while  admitting  that  Opdycke's 
brigade  performed  that  important  service,  did  not  recog- 
nize the  fact  that  the  73d  was  a  part  of  that  brigade.  The 
authors  of  the  several  sketches  of  the  36th,  44th,  74th, 
and  88th  Illinois  Regiments,  as  they  appear  in  the 
Revised  Reports  of  the  adjutant-general  of  Illinois, 
which  regiments  were  in  Opdycke's  brigade,  omit  any 
mention  of  the  73d  Illinois  in  connection  with  the  re- 
treat to  Franklin  and  the  battle  there.  The  history  of 
the  36th  Illinois,  a  volume  of  six  hundred  pages,  more 
or  less,  makes  the  same  omission  in  the  same  connec- 
tion. Probably  it  was  thought  the  73d  would  some 
time  make  a  record  of  its  doings  in  this  Columbia- 
Nashville  campaign.  This  is  what  is  sought  to  be 
accomplished  in  the  succeeding  chapter. 

In  the  movement  from  Duck  River,  November  29th, 
the  73d  performed  a  part  in  which  it  was  not  assisted 
by  another  regiment.  Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I,  under 
orders,  carefully  though  verbally  given,  pushed  forward 
rapidly  and  reached  the  northern  outskirts  of  Spring 
Hill  just  in  time  to  make  choice  of  positions  and  get 


398  AT  SPRING  HILL. 

the  drop  "  on  the  van  of  Forrest's  cavalry  which  had 
striven  hard  to  get  there  first.  The  left  wing  of  the 
regiment  and  Company  C  had  deployed  and  hurriedly 
advanced,  first  as  flankers,  later  as  skirmishers,  and  were 
thus  enabled  to  "put  in  an  appearance"  just  at  the  right 
time  and  place  to  withstand  a  dash  of  the  enemy's 
cavalry,  which  possibly  would  have  cut  off  or  overrun 
the  four  companies  had  they  not  been  promptly  seconded 
and  supported.  The  time  and  vantage-ground,  in  this 
manner  gained  and  maintained,  was  improved  by 
General  Wagner,  who,  with  his  staff,  had  hastened  for- 
ward on  hearing  the  noise  of  our  rapid  and  sharp,  firing, 
and  by  Colonel  Opdycke  in  bringing  up  the  remainder  of 
our  brigade,  soon  to  be  followed  by  the  remainder  of  the 
division  and  corps,  and  so  repelling  and  checking  and 
keeping  off  the  constantly  augmenting  force  of  the 
enemy  until  darkness  came  to  our  relief.  Though,  as  it 
turned  out,  this  duty  did  not  prove  so  extra  hazardous 
as  it  might  for  the  73d,  had  the  73d  arrived  on  the 
ground  a  little  later,  or  Forrest's  cavalry  a  little  earlier, 
yet  it  was  an  important  duty,  one  in  which  great  risk 
and  responsibility  had  to  be  assumed.  By  performing 
here  a  service  which  ordinarily  would  have  been  assigned 
to  cavalry,  we  claim  the  73d  has  an  especial  and  an 
exclusive  distinction  and  has  a  history  peculiarly  and 
distinctively  its  own ;  the  value  and  importance  of  the 
service  rendered  being  measured  by  the  seriousness  of 
the  disaster  which  would  certainly  have  overtaken  our 
forces  on  that  November  afternoon,  had  that  service  not 
been  performed  in  the  time  and  manner  and  at  the  place 
it  was  performed. 

We  are  not  saying  some  other  regiment  might  not 
have  done  the  work  as  well,  or  even  better  than  the  73d. 


A  LITTLE  PREAMBLE.  399 

The  73d  might  have  done  the  work  better  or  not  so  well, 
had  it  known  beforehand  the  nature  of  the  work. 
But  our  regiment  got  the  contract,  and  did  the  work 
according,  to  orders,  and  that  is  just  what  we  are  talk- 
ing or  writing  about,  and  seeking  to  lay  stress  upon  and 
make  appear  prominently,  .since  all  writers  and  histori- 
ans, up  to  this  time,  have  either  willfully  omitted  to 
mention  the  facts,  or  were  not  posted  on  them. 

In  our  examination  of  General  Cox's  history  of  this 
campaign,  we  fail  to  find  as  good  cause  for  complaint  as 
Captain  Patten's  letter  would  seem  to  indicate.  General 
Cox  concedes  that  Opdycke's  brigade  covered  the  retreat 
to  Franklin,  but  does  not  specify  what  regiments  were 
in  that  origade. 

Other  histories — nearly  all  the  general  histories — fail 
to  do  this.  Of  the  operations  of  Opdycke's  brigade  on 
November  29th,  General  Cox  has  said  but  little,  and  in 
saying  that,  he  attributes  or  credits  the  work  the  73d 
Illinois  and  Opdycke's  brigade  did,  to  the  4th  Corps, 
or  to  General  Stanley,  which,  if  not  primarily,  is  gen- 
erally correct,  as  our  brigade  was  in  that  corps  and 
General  Stanley  was  our  corps  commander.  But  when 
the  two  racing  or  competing  armies  were  moving 
rapidly,  and  the  points  of  contact  between  them  neces- 
sarily precluded  operations  by  a  corps  or  division,  or 
by  a  brigade  even,  the  particular  brigade  or  regiment 
that  did  operate  might  in  justice  have  been  mentioned. 

As  to  the  battle  of  Franklin,  as  shown  up  in  General 
Cox's  account  of  it,  the  chief  fault  we  would  find,  if  any, 
the  chief  criticism  we  would  make  of  his  account,  is 
the  attempt  to  exonerate  the  23d  Corps  from  all  blame 
and  responsibility  in  connection  with  the  breach  that 
was  made  in  our  main  line  on  the  pike  near  the  Carter 


400  GENERAL  WAGNER. 

house,  and  impliedly  if  not  directly  shifting  it  on  to  the 
4th  Corps.  Much  blame  has  been  heaped  on  General 
Wagner  for  leaving  two  brigades,  Lane's  and  Conrad's, 
out  in  front  too  long.  Wagner  probably  placed  those 
brigades  there  in  obedience  to  orders  from  somebody. 
General  Cox  claims  he  was  charged  with  the  duty  of 
assigning  the  troops  to  position  as  they  came  up.  If 
so,  then  he  must  have  had  something  to  do  in  placing 
those  brigades  out  there.  It  is  alleged  Wagner  was 
ordered  to  bring  them  in.  It  was  doubtless  Wagner's 
intention  to  obey  that  order  as  soon  as  he  had  accom- 
plished or  fulfilled  the  purposes  in  view,  when  those 
brigades  were  placed  in  position.  Those  purposes  were 
presumably  to  wait  until  Opdycke's  brigade  got  in;  to 
watch  the  movements  of  the  rebels  as  they  came  next, 
Opdycke's  brigade  having  skirmished  with  them  all  the 
way  from  Spring  Hill ;  to  report  those  movements,  and,  if 
attacked  by  the  rebels,  to  offer  some  resistance  to  their 
advance,  fall  back  gradually  and  in  order  to  our  main 
line,  firing  as  they  did  so. 

Wagner  saw  the  enemy's  movements,  observed  his 
preparations,  and  wanted  to  see  more  of  them.  He 
was  probably  warned  in  time  to  obey  that  order,  but 
feeling  or  knowing  that  the  time  to  begin  the  execu- 
tion of  that  order  was  left  to  his  judgment  or  discre- 
tion, and  not  wishing  to  obey  it  prematurely,  and 
little  thinking  the  rebels  would  suddenly  sweep  up 
en  masse,  in  a  mad,  wild,  and  impetuous  rush,  and  over- 
whelm his  two  brigades,  he  neglected  to  obey  until  it 
was  too  late.  He  made  a  mistake,  and  tailed  to  make 
a  right  use  of  the  discretion  with  which  he  was 
invested. 

The    best    of    generals    made    mistakes,    errors    of 


OPD YOKE'S  BRIGADE.  401 

judgment,  and  it  was  impossible  for  Wagner  to  antici- 
pate or  certainly  foresee  what  plan  or  movement  the 
enemy  would  attempt  to  execute.  Hood  having  neg- 
lected to  improve  his  opportunity  for  cutting  our  army 
in  twain  the  night  of  the  29th,  may  have  led  Wagner 
to  expect  nothing  was  to  be  attempted  now  that  his 
two  brigades  could  not  at  least  temporarily  check;  but 
he  soon  found  he  had  misconceived  the  intent  and  pur- 
pose, as  well  as  the  animus,  of  the  enemy ;  for  very 
great  was  the  disappointment  of  the  rebel  soldiers 
when  they  found  we  had  slipped  from  their  clutches  at 
Spring  Hill.  At  Franklin  they  were  to  regain  what 
they  had  frittered  away  and  lost,  or  fare  worse. 

Well,  our  brigade — Opdycke's — finally  got  in,  just 
how  and  when  will  sufficiently  appear  in  the  following 
chapter.  The  2d  and  3d  Brigades — Lane's  and  Con- 
rad's— of  our  division  were  overwhelmed  in  front  and 
on  both  flanks  by  the  heavy  masses  of  the  enemy,  as  he 
rushed  confidently  and  defiantly  forward.  With  the 
exception  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  captured,  the  two 
brigades  named  fled  with  all  possible  dispatch  from 
their  advanced  position  to  our  main  line  of  defense, 
and  were  closely  followed  by  the  rebel  infantry  and 
artillery.  The  men  of  these  two  brigades  and  their 
pursuers  reached  the  line  of  works  occupied  by  Ruger's 
division  of  the  23d  Corps  nearly  at  the  same  time. 
Not  wishing  to  kill  or  wound  their  friends,  the  men 
occupying  that  part  of  the  line  could  not  fire  on  the 
enemy,  but  withheld  their  fire,  and  the  rebels  that  fol- 
lowed Lane's  and  Conrad's  brigades  in  clambered  over 
our  works ;  whereupon  two  or  more  regiments  of  Ruger's 
men,  instead  of  devoting  themselves  to  the  business  of 
capturing  the  enemy,  broke  and  fled.  The  gap  thus  made 

26 


402  FRANKLIN,  TENNESSEE. 

in  our  line  was  being  pushed  into  by  the  rebels  as  rap- 
icily  as  possible,  and  just  as  soon  as  they  could  reach 
it.  Neither  the  Union  nor  rebel  troops  at  this  point 
could  deliver  fire  at  the  time,  or  immediately  after  the 
troops  in  the  main  line  gave  way,  for  the  reason  that 
each  would  inflict  damage  on  their  friends.  There  was 
considerable  firing,  however,  notwithstanding  the  mixed 
and  tangled  condition  of  affairs. 

It  must  have  been  as  late  as  2.45  P.  M.  when  our 
brigade  halted  in  reserve  behind  Carter's  Hill.  Not  all 
of  the  73d  had  finished  dinner,  when  the  meeting  and 
clashing  of  hostile  forces  warned  us  that  the  necessities 
of  the  occasion,  as  well  as  our  own  safety,  demanded 
prompt  and  decisive  action.  The  breach  that  had  been 
opened  through  our  line  by  the  fleeing  from  their  posts 
of  duty  of  the  regiments  of  the  23d  Corps  on  either  side 
of  the  pike,  we  knew,  must  be  filled,  and  our  line  re- 
stored, or  an  overwhelming  and  crushing  disaster  would 
be  upon  us.  In  such  an  emergency  as  was  presented, 
a  moment  of  time  was  of  too  great  value  to  be  lost,  and 
the  whole  of  Opdycke's  brigade,  the  73d  anyhow,  in- 
stinctively sprang  for  the  stacked  arms,  and  waiting 
but  a  moment  and  vainly  for  orders,  except  from 
Major  Motherspaw,  started  forward  on  a  double-quick 
charge,  with  bayonets  fixed.  Fences  and  other  ob- 
structions were  either  torn  away,  trampled  upon,  or  in 
some  way  evaded  and  left  behind. 

Regardless  of  the  fleeing  and  panic-stricken  fugitives 
of  whatever  brigade  or  division  of  our  own  men,  but 
compelling  rebels  to  surrender  or  be  knocked  down  and 
killed,  we  forced  our  way  to  that  point  in  the  line  of 
breastworks  which  had  been  deserted  by  our  forces  and 
was  being  taken  possession  of  by  the  enemy.  Immedi- 


THE  BREACH  FILLED.  403 

ately  behind  those  works  we  knew  was  the  safest  place 
for  us,  and  the  best  place  from  which  to  deal  destruc- 
tion to  our  adversaries,  and  to  protect  the  flanks  of  the 
troops  that  had  remained  firmly  at  their  posts  on  either 
side  of  the  gap.  Our  line  was  restored  and  was  further 
manned  and  strengthened. by  the  rallying  to  the  fight 
again  of  hundreds  of  the  men  of  Lane's  and  Conrad's 
brigades,  also  of  Reilly's  and  Strickland's.  For  fully 
twenty  minutes  a  contest  without  a  parallel,  a  contest 
undescribed,  and  never  to  be  described  accurately  or 
portrayed  fully,  had  been  going  on.  To  maintain  and 
widen  that  breach  in  our  line,  and  destroy  or  capture 
our  army,  was  the  purpose  of  the  enemy ;  for  pending 
that  contest  the  fate  of  our  army  all  south  of  the  Har- 
peth  River  hung  on  the  issue  thereof.  To  close  that 
breach,  restore  the  line,  and  save  the  army,  was  the  pur- 
pose and  mission  of  Opdycke's  brigade. 

In  accomplishing  this  mission  we  hazard  little  in 
saying  that  the  73d  was  first  at  the  breach,  and  among 
the  very  last  to  leave  it.  On  arriving  at  the  point  from 
whence  our  forces  had  retreated,  and  being  re-enforced 
as  indicated,  there  were  too  many  troops  to  operate  to 
advantage  and  all  be  protected  by  the  slight  works. 
All  were  either  lying  on  the  ground  or  standing  in  a 
low  stooping  posture,  and  there  were  pieces  of  artillery 
distributed  at  intervals  among  the  busily  working  men. 
Immediately  at  the  works  was  a  strong  line  of  men 
with  scarcely  elbow-room,  who  did  nothing  but  fire ; 
the  pieces  being  loaded  rapidly  and  passed  forward  by 
men  a  little  farther  to  the  rear,  who  received  and  re- 
loaded the  empty  pieces  and  again  passed  them  to  the 
front  line.  There  were  several  tiers  of  men  who  were 
busy,  either  loading  guns  or  cleaning  them;  breaking 


404  SERIOUS  WORK. 

open  ammunition-boxes,  distributing  cartridges,  carrying 
ammunition  for  both  infantry  and  artillery  from  a  point 
where  left  by  ammunition-wagons,  and  helping  to  work 
the  artillery.  The  enemy's  attack  was  persistent,  fierce, 
and  determined,  and  evinced  a  purpose  to  overrun  and 
crush  and  destroy  us.  He  was  stung  to  desperation  by  the 
sudden  turning  of  the  scales  in  this  important  battle. 
He  charged,  and  CHARGED  again  and  AGAIN,  carrying  his 
reckless  assaults  right  up  to — yes,  on — our  slight  works 
to  the  very  muzzles  of  our  guns.  But  we  were  there 
to  stay,  at  least  until  we  got  ready  to  walk  off  quietly 
and  in  order.  Our  troops  had  reduced  the  system  or 
machinery  of  defense  to  almost  perfection ;  there  being 
work  for  all,  and,  all  WORKING,  there  was  a  full  half  hour 
of  desperate  fighting,  perhaps  equaled  at  some  time 
and  place,  but  scarcely  ever,  if  ever,  surpassed.  During 
these  fearful  minutes,  as  a  result  of  combined,  sturdy, 
heroic  effort  on  the  part  of  all  our  troops  from  end  to 
end  of  our  line,  the  small  arms  volleyed ;  there  was  no 
determining  of  intervals  between  volleys;  they  were  as 
one.  The  cannon  thundered,  the  shell  shrieked,  the 
smoke  rolled,  the  earth  seemed  to  tremble,  and  the 
heroic,  reckless,  desperate  enemy  surged,  and  surged, 
and  SURGED  again  and  again,  right  up  to  our  line,  and 
recoiled  as  often,  recoiling  last  before  the  merciless 
tempest  of  death. 

Darkness  came  on,  and  shrouded  the  scene ;  there 
was  a  lull  in  the  fight,  a  great  calm  after  a  great  storm. 
Many  of  our  soldiers  had  been  slain;  but  for  each  one, 
from  three  to  five  of  the  rebels  had  bitten  the  dust. 
Very  many  on  both  sides  were  wounded ;  the  few  mor- 
tally, the  many  slightly.  Did  those  who  had  not 
finished  dinner,  now  finish  it?  No.  Was  supper  pre- 


"  CEASE  FIRIXG  ;  CEASE  FIRING  /"  405 

pared?  No.  Was  there  time  for  coffee?  Not  much. 
The  foe,  threatening  and  defiant,  was  right  there  within 
sixty  feet,  waiting  to  pounce  upon  us.  Guns  were  put 
in  order,  ammunition  in  abundance  was  got  ready  at 
hand,  and  all  precautions  taken.  Nor  had  we  long  to 
wait  until  the  first  night  assault  was  made;  right  up  to 
our  works  they  charged,  coming  within  the  space 
measured  by  the  flashes  from  our  rifles.  But  before 
our  galling  fire  the  enemy  quailed  and  fell  back.  Our 
fire  slackened  some;  but  within  an  hour,  two  or  more 
assaults  were  made  with  like  result. 

After  the  last  assault  we  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  for 
some  minutes  until  some  person,  some  officer  perhaps, 
between  the  lines,  but  nearest  ours,  yelled  out,  "  Cease 
firing  ;  CEASE  FIRING!"  repeating  the  command  several 
times.  Amid  the  smoke  and  darkness  it  could  not 
be  told  who  or  what  he  was,  whether  Union  or 
rebel.  In  a  few  minutes  the  firing  did  in  a  great 
measure  cease  ;  later  it  ceased  almost  entirely.  At  the 
same  time  a  burning  building  in  the  suburbs  of  Franklin 
fell  in,  making  a  great  light,  by  which  we  saw  several, 
as  many  as  a  dozen,  standards  rise  along  the  enemy's 
line.  He  was  preparing,  no  doubt,  to  make  a  last  des- 
perate effort  to  break  our  front.  Brisk  firing  immedi- 
ately reopened  along  our  front,  increasing  in  volume 
and  ceasing  not  until  every  battle-flag  on  the  enemy's 
front  was  laid  low.  This  ended  the  contest ;  quiet  suc- 
ceeded, and  by  midnight  our  weary  forces  had  with- 
drawn from  the  field,  crossed  the  Harpeth,  and  were 
slowly  wending  their  way  to  Nashville. 

The  loss  sustained  in  the  battle  by  the  73d  was 
nine  killed,  and  two  wounded,  who  died  soon  afterward, 
making  eleven  in  all,  and  there  were  fully  that  num- 


406  GENERAL  STANLEY. 

ber  wounded.  In  the  four  other  Illinois  regiments  of 
our  brigade  the  losses  were  approximately  as  follows : 
36th,  seven  killed  and  six  wounded;  44th,  five  killed 
and  seven  wounded  and  missing;  74th,  none  killed  and 
five  wounded;  88th,  two  killed,  seven  wounded,  and 
six  missing.  As  to  the  other  two  regiments  of  the 
brigade,  the  24th  Wisconsin  and  the  125th  Ohio,  we 
have  no  source  of  information  to  refer  to  for  their  losses. 
Fully  one-half  the  losses  sustained  by  our  army  at 
Franklin  fell  on  our  (2d)  division  of  the  4th  Corps. 
Five-sevenths  of  our  brigade  being  Illinoisians,  we  take 
pride  in  -dwelling  at  unusual  length  and  with  particu- 
larity on  this  campaign  from  Duck  River  to  Nashville. 
General  D.  S.  Stanley,  referring  to  the  breach  made  in 
our  line  of  works  at  the  Columbia  Pike,  and  of  the 
counter-charge  by  Opdycke's  brigade,  said :  "  The 
moment  was  critical  beyond  any  I  have  known  in  any 
battle." 

Describing  the  retreat  to  Nashville,  General  Stanley 
said: 

"  Our  men  were  more  exhausted  physically  than  I  have  ever 
seen  on  any  other  occasion.  From  November  23d,  when  we  left 
Pulaski,  until  arriving  at  Nashville,  we  had  been  constantly  in  the 
immediate  presence  of  an  enemy  we  knew  to  be  vastly  superior 
in  numbers,  closely  watching  to  attack  us  at  disadvantage.  With 
us,  both  mind  and  body  were  kept  at  full  stretch,  and  it  was  only 
by  night  marches  and  the  constant  use  of  iutreuchments  that  we 
could  hope  to  save  ourselves.  Many  of  our  men  were  overtaxed 
and  broke  down,  unable  to  travel  any  longer.  They  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  On  two  occasions  the  enemy  was  very  near 
attaining  the  advantage  he  sought  of  us.  The  first  was  when  Cox 
drove  back  his  advance  just  about  entering  Columbia.  The  second 
and  greatest  escape  for  us  was  at  Spring  Hill,  when,  with  a  whole 
corps  in  line  of  battle,  the  left  of  the  line  within  six  hundred 
yards  of  the  road,  they  allowed  all  our  army  except  Wagner's 


NOTES  AND  EXTRACTS.  407 

division,  which  had  fought   them    during   the  day,  to  pass  them 
with  impunity  during  the  night." 

With  this  we  close  this  chapter,  already  much  too 
long,  and  trespassing  on  the  ground  allotted  to  the  next. 


NOTE.— Eddy's  "  Patriotism  of  Illinois,"  page  319,  second  volume, 
speaking  of  the  74th  and  88th  Illinois  regiments,  says:  "At  Franklin, 
when  the  enemy  broke  our  lines,  these  two  regiments  charged  forward 
and  saved  the  day." 

On  page  222,  of  same  volume,  we  find  these  words  respecting  the 
44th  Illinois  in  the  same  connection:  "It  then  joined  in  the  pursuit  of 
Hood  through  Tennessee,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Franklin, 
where  it  showed  great  gallantry." 

Of  the  88th  alone  we  find  these  words,  on  page  72,  same  volume : 
"  After  the  skirmish  at  Spring  Hill,  it  fought  in  the  battle  of  Franklin, 
which  made  the  victory  at  Nashville,  in  which,  the  88th  bore  a  part, 
only  the  more  easy." 

Concerning  the  73d,  we  find,  on  page  605,  same  volume,  these 
words:  "Our  regiment  was  in  Opdycke's  brigade,  which  saved  the  day 
at  Franklin,  Tennessee,  just  before  the  last  siege  of  Nashville." 

And  again  on  pages  211  and  212,  same  volume,  we  find  this  addi- 
tional mention  of  the  74th  and  88th :  "  The  gallant  74th  Regiment  shared 
with  the  88th  the  honor  of  saving  the  day  at  Franklin.  .  .  .  The 
same  meed  of  praise  which  was  awarded  the  88th  was  given  to  the 74th." 

On  page  210  of  the  volume  referred  to,  the  claim  is  made  that  the 
88th  Illinois  led  in  the  charge  made  at  Franklin  by  Opdycke's  brigade. 
The  claim  is  in  these  words:  "Almost  instantly  their  brigade  was  on  the 
charge,  the  consolidated  88th  leading  and  clearing  the  way." 

By  the  above  it  was  meant  that  the  74th  and  88th  were  consolidated. 
We  make  no  comment  on  these  extracts.  We  refer  to  the  comparative 
losses  of  the  36th,  44th,  73d,  74th,  and  88th  sustained  at  Franklin,  as 
shown  on  page  406  of  this  book,  merely  repeating  that  in  all  the 
sketches  and  histories  of  the  four  Illinois  regiments,  other  than  our 
own,  that  were  in  Opdycke's  brigade,  we  find  no  reference  to  the  73d. 
We  still  think,  however,  the  73d  was  in  Opkycke's  brigade,  and  also  in 
the  battle  of  Franklin.  We  know  it. 


408  OPVYCKE'S  BRIGADE. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  HOOD  CAMPAIGN,  FROM  NOVEMBER  23  TO  30,  1864 — URGENT- 
BUSINESS  REQUIRES  OUR  WHOLE  TIME  AND  ATTENTION — VIEWS 
OF  A  NUMBER  OF  COMRADES  TOUCHING  THE  MOVEMENT  FROM 
DUCK  RIVER — SPRING  HILL — FRANKLIN — WEARY,  EXHAUSTED 
SOLDIERS — FATIGUING  MARCH. 

THE  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps,  Army 
of  the  Cumberland,  at  the  time  of  the  Hood  Campaign 
in  Tennessee  in  the  fall  of  1864,  was  made  up,  of  the 
following  named  regiments,  to-wit:  The  36th,  44th, 
73d,  74th,  and  88th  Illinois,  and  the  24th  Wisconsin, 
and  the  125th  Ohio. 

The  following  is  substantially  a  copy  of  a  circular 
letter,  prepared  and  sent  out  by  Captain  George  W. 
Patten,  of  the  73d  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers.  It 
fully  foreshadows  the  subject  matter,  scope,  and  purpose 
of  the  present  chapter.  It  reads  : 

"  DEAR  SIR  AND  COMRADE, — The  society  known  as  '  Sheri- 
dan's Division  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,'  at  its  meeting  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  September,  1888,  decided  to  make  a  strong  effort 
to  correct  the  errors  in  the  so-called  history  of  the  battle  of  Frank- 
Jin,  Tennessee,  written  by  General  J.  D.  Cox.  This  account  of 
the  battle  does  great  injustice  to  Sheridan's  division,  and  especially 
to  Opdycke's  brigade,  to  which  the  73d  Illinois  belonged.  At  its 
reunion,  at  Decatur,  Illinois,  October  8,  1888,  the  association  of 
survivors  of  the  73d  named  as  a  committee  Lieutenant  W.  H. 
Newlin  and  Captains  E.  J.  Ingersoll,  J.  L.  Morgan,  and  G.  W. 
Patten,  to  collect  evidence  and  arrange  a  full  account  of  the  part 
taken  in  that  battle  by  the  noble  old  73d.  The  committee  are 
desirous  of  making  a  complete  history  of  the  part  taken  by  the 
regiment,  from  the  time  it  arrived  at  Columbia,  Tennessee,  until 


SHERIDAN'S  DIVISION.  409 

it  reached  Nashville  after  the  terrible  battle  of  Franklin,  and  in 
this  we  ask  your  assistance.  It  is  asserted,  by  those  who  ought  to 
know,  that  the  73d  was  neither  in  the  advance  from  Columbia  to 
Spring  Hill,  nor  in  the  rear  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin. 

"  In  order  that  positive  evidence  may  be  secured  upon  the 
points  in  dispute,  we  send  you  a  few  questions  on  another  sheet, 
which  we  desire  you  to  answer  on  the  same  sheet,  and  return  to 
the  committee,  with  as  much  other  account  of  the  battle  and 
march  as  you  are  able  to  remember  or  can  otherwise  obtain. 
Note  any  little  incidents  that  occurred  during  the  time  that  were 
not  generally  known ;  in  short,  tell  your  old  comrades  anything  in 
the  line  of  fact  you  think  might  interest  them.  By  giving  this 
matter  your  earnest  and  immediate  attention,  and  sending  an  early 
reply,  you  will  greatly  oblige  and  assist  the  committee  in  its  work, 
and  aid  in  giving  to  the  world  a  history  of  the  most  wonderful  of 
the  numerous  campaigns  of  Sheridan's  old  division,  a  more  accu- 
rate history  than  can  be  obtained  in  any  other  manner. 

"  Yours  very  truly,  ." 

This  circular  letter  was  signed  by  one  of  the  com- 
mittee named,  or  by  one  of  the  members  of  the  73d 
Reunion  Association,  and,  accompanied  by  a  list  of  ques- 
tions, was  sent  out  by  mail,  a  copy  to  each  one  of  a 
number  of  survivors  of  the  regiment.  A  copy  of  same, 
find  a  list  of  questions,  was  also  sent  to  each  of  a  num- 
ber of  survivors  of  the  other  regiments  of  Opdycke's 
brigade. 

The  questions  bearing  directly  on  the  points  in  con- 
troversy appear  herein,  in  connection  with  the  answers 
to  the  same. 

Tilmon  D.  Kyger,  captain  of  Company  C,  73d  Illinois 
Volunteers,  died  in  February,  1876,  leaving  behind  him 
a  very  full  and  correct  memoranda  of  the  principal 
events  in  his  personal  experience  as  a  soldier,  during 
three  years'  service.  The  captain's  widow,  Mrs.  Lizzie 
E.  Kyger,  has  very  kindly  accorded  us  the  privilege  of 
consulting  her  husband's  memoranda,  and  we  find  therein 


410  CROSS  DUCK  RIVER. 

substantially  these  answers  to  the  questions  propounded 
and  sent  out  as  stated.  We  copy  each  question,  and, 
in  answer,  make  exact  copy  from  the  captain's  memo- 
randa : 

"  1st  Question.  When  did  your  company  arrive  at  Columbia, 
Tennessee  ? 

"  Bivouac  one-half  mile  north  of  LinnviUe,  Tennessee,  Thursday, 
November  24,  1864- — Up  at  two  o'clock  this  morning,  to  march  at 
four;  hasty  orders  came  to  march  immediately.  Half  past  three 
o  clock  moved  out  to  the  pike  and  halted ;  remained  there  one-half 
hour,  when  orders  came  that  the  73d  would  be  rear  guard  to 
corps  train.  We  went  back  to  our  old  bivouac  and  waited  until 
nine  A.  M.  for  rear  of  train  to  come  up,  when  we  fell  in,  leaving 
only  the  train  for  the  cavalry  behind.  .  .  .  We  marched 
quite  steadily,  arriving  at  Columbia  at  4.30  o'clock  P.  M.,  meeting 
no  resistance  from  rebel  cavalry.  .  .  .  We  bivouacked  in  the 
southern  suburbs  of  town,  near  the  ruins  of  the  Jackson  Institute." 

2d  Ques.  How  long  did  you  remain  there? 

"  Columbia,  Tennessee,  November  27,  1864. — This  morning  finds 
us  without  any  further  orders.  The  reason  for  not  moving  out  last 
night  was  the  breaking  of  the  pontoon  bridge.  The  bridge  is 
being  laid  in  another  place.  All  quiet  along  the  lines,  except 
light  picket-firing.  The  rebel  wagon-train  seems  to  be  moving  to 
our  left.  General  Kimball  rode  along  our  lines,  having  returned 
to  take  command  of  the  1st  Division,  4th  Army  Corps  again. 
5  P.  M. — Orders  to  be  ready  to  march  at  dark ;  think  we  are  to 
evacuate.  All  in  readiness,  and  moved  out  silently  at  nine  o'clock. 
Crossed  Duck  River  on  a  pontoon  bridge,  and  went  into  camp  for 
the  remainder  of  the  night.  The  roads  passed  over  were  extremely 
muddy.  We  were  four  hours  in  going  about  three  miles. 

"  Bivouac  on  North  Side  of  Duck  River,  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
Columbia,  November  28,  186 Jf. — We  came  to  this  point  at  1.15 
o'clock  A.  M.  and  hastily  spread  down  our  blankets  for  a  sleep. 
At  daylight  was  wakened  by  the  sound  of  the  enemy's  guns  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  creek."  [This  would  make  four  days, 
from  November  25th  to  28th,  inclusive.] 

3d  Ques.  What  duty,  if  any,  did  your  company  do  at 
Columbia? 

"  Friday,  November  25,  1864- — Eighty-eighth  and  73d  Illinois, 
24th  Wisconsin,  and  125th  Ohio  were  ordered  out  to  make  a 


THE  SE  VENTY-  THIRD  IN  AD  VANCE.  411 

recounoissance,  and  go  out  four  miles  on  the  Pulaski  pike,  if  we  did 
not  meet  the  enemy  in  force.  One  and  a  half  miles  out,  skirmish- 
ers were  deployed,  and,  after  moving  forward  one-half  mile,  came 
up  to  the  rebel  pickets,  thought  to  be  dismounted  cavalry.  Our 
skirmishers  fired  a  few  shots,  and  the  rebels  brought  out  a  piece  of 
artillery  and  fired  six  shots  at  us.  and  to  our  left.  After  sending 
an  aide  to  town  to  report,  we  were  ordered  back  to  our  old 
quarters. 

' '  Columbia,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  November  26,  1864- — Camp  in 
western  suburbs.  Drizzling  rain.  Completed  a  line  of  earth-works 
which  had  been  commenced  to  our  front." 

"Bivouac  North  Side  of  Duck  River,  one  and  one-half  miles  from 
Columbia,  November  28,  186 '4- — There  was  some  cannonading  at 
7.30  o'clock.  Major  Motherspaw  had  charge  of  the  brigade 
pickets,  and  came  in  at  three  o'clock  this  morning;  reports  all 
across  river;  pontoon  and  railroad  bridges  burned,  and  a  small 
amount  of  ammunition  destroyed,  which  were  all  the  articles  be- 
longing to  the  Government  but  what  were  sent  to  the  rear." 

From  this  evidence,  taken  at  the  time,  it  seems  that 
Captain  Kyger's  answer  to  third  question  is :  We 
helped  make  reconnoissance  in  force;  helped  complete 
earth-works,  and  did  skirmish  and  picket  duty,  while 
near  Columbia. 

4th  Ques.  When  did  you  leave  Columbia? 

' '  Camp  two  miles  North  of  Columbia,  Tennessee,  Tuesday,  Novem- 
ber 29,  1864' — Marched  at  eight  o'clock  this  morning ;  2d  Divis- 
ion and  1st  Brigade  in  front  of  4th  Army  Corps;  73d  Regiment 
in  front  of  brigade,  and  Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I  to  front  of 
train.  General  Schofield's  23d  Corps  to  remain  at  Duck  River,  to 
cover  our  retreat  and  fall  back  during  the  night." 

5th  Ques.  What  position  in  the  marching  column  did  the  73d 
occupy  in  the  march  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill? 

"Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I  to  front  of  train.  Just  before 
reaching  Spring  Hill,  the  remaining  six  companies  of  our  regiment 
were  ordered  out  on  right  of  pike  as  flankers." 

6th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Spring  Hill? 

This  question  the  memoranda  does  not  answer 
directly,  but  does  so  indirectly,  and  the  answer  is 


412  ACTION  A T  SPRING  HILL. 

given  in   connection  with   the  answer   to  the  seventh 
question,  which  is, — 

What  obstructions,  if  any,  did  you  see  in  the  road  at  or  near 
Spring  Hill? 

"On  coming  opposite  town,  a  cavalry  force  was  observed  ap- 
proaching on  north  side,  aiming  to  reach  the  pike.  Skirmishing 
was  pretty  brisk  for  a  half  hour,  when  it  was  driven  back,  with 
a  slight  loss  in  our  brigade.  At  three  o'clock  P.  M.  infantry  ap- 
proached on  east  side  and  engaged  2d  and  3d  Brigades,  2d  Divis- 
ion. A  sharp  fight  continued  until  after  dark ;  portions  of  1st 
and  3d  Divisions,  4th  Array  Corps,  were  also  slightly  engaged 
below  the  town.  The  loss  in  our  division  (2d)  was  pretty  heavy. 
All  our  brigade  was  on  the  skirmish-line  north-east  of  town. 
9  o'clock  P.  M. — Schofield  not  yet  reported." 

8th  Ques.  If  you  or  your  company  were  detailed  for  special 
duty  on  the  march  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  state  what  that 
duty  was,  and  who  was  the  officer  in  command  of  the  detail. 

The  memoranda  does  not  disclose  an  answer  to  the 
eighth  question,  farther  than  that  embraced  in  the 
answer  to  question  number  five.  The  four  companies, 
A,  F,  D,  and  I,  were  in  the  advance  on  the  pike,  and 
were  under  the  command  of  Captain  G.  W.  Patten,  of 
Company  I,  of  the  committee  appointed  to  collect  this 
evidence. 

9th  Ques.  What  position  did  you  occupy  at  Spring  Hill? 

The  answer  to  this  question  is  included  with  the 
answer  to  question  number  seven.  We  repeat:  "All 
our  brigade  was  on  the  skirmish-line  north-east  of 
town."  Company  C,  the  color  company,  and  the  en- 
tire left  wing  of  the  73d  Regiment,  before  reaching 
Spring  Hill,  served  first  as  flankers,  and  then  as  skir- 
mishers to  the  right  or  east  of  the  pike.  This  fact  has 
already  been  indicated,  but  it  will  be  more  fully  devel- 
oped by  other  testimony  appearing  herein. 


SEVENTY-THIRD  IN  THE  "REAR  GUARD."          413 

10th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  leave  Spring  Hill  for  Franklin  ? 

"  Spring  Hill,  Tennessee,  Wednesday,  November  80,  1864- — At 
dawn  of  day  were  ordered  to  quit  our  skirmish-line  and  fall  back 
to  pike." 

llth  Ques.  What  position  did  the  73d  have  in  the  marching 
column  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin? 

"  Marched  in  line  of  battle  to  the  support  of  skirmish-line  to 
within  three  miles  of  Franklin.  I  was  not  able  to  march  all  the 
way  on  account  of  a  sick  brash ;  rode  Lieutenant  Tilton's  horse 
a  part  of  the  way.  The  rebels  followed  us  closely,  skirmishing  at 
all  points  where  the  advantage  was  in  their  favor.  At  twelve 
o'clock  M.  we  halted  on  some  high  knobs  two  and  one-half  miles 
south  of  Franklin.  At  this  point,  while  lying  by  the  road-side,  I 
was  struck  by  a  spent  ball  on  the  abdomen,  doing  no  damage; 
from  this  point  we  went  nearer  town  and  were  halted;  returned 
to  knobs  again.  I  "did  not  go  on  to  the  knob  the  second  time. 
The  regiment  did  not  stay  but  a  short  time  until  the  rebels  were 
seen  moving  on  the  town  in  force.  Those  hills  were  abandoned. 
When  the  regiment  came  along  I  was  in  care  of  Joe  Garrett 
[sergeant-major],  and  was  not  able  to  walk.  Adjutant  Wilmer 
had  me  get  on  his  horse  and  ride  to  town.  By  this  time  it  was 
two  o'clock  P.  M.  Doctor  Pond  and  John  Rush,  by  order  of 
Doctor  Pearce  took  me  to  the  north  side  of  the  Harpeth  River,  and 
put  me  into  a  car  that  was  going  to  Nashville.  I  was  not  able  to 
sit  up.  I  shall  always  feel  grateful  to  Tilton,  Pond,  Wilmer,  and 
Rush,  for  their  kindness  toward  me." 

12th  Ques.  At  what  point  in  the  battle-line  were  you  at 
Franklin? 

From  the  foregoing  it  appears  that  Captain  Kyger 
was  not  in  the  action  at  Franklin. 

Therefore  his  memoranda  furnish  no  answer  to  the 
twelfth  question;  the  same  as  to  the 

13th  Ques.  By  whose  order  did  you  go  there  ? 

14th  Ques.  At  what  time  did  you  leave  the  works? 

"  The  regiment  left  the  front  line,  to  fall  back  on  Nashville,  at 
nine  o'clock  P.  M." 

15th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Nashville? 

"Arrived  at  Nashville  at  twelve  o'clock  M.,  December 
1,  1864." 


414  SEVENY-THIRD  IN  THE  "FORE  FRONT." 

16th  Ques.  Give  full  account  of  the  battle  as  you  saw  it. 

"  At  about  four  o'clock  P.  M.  Hood  made  a  desperate  charge 
to  break  our  lines,  which  were  formed  around  the  town,  with  our 
left  on  the  Harpeth  River  above,  and  right  on  river  below.  It 
was  a  desperate  battle,  lasting  until  after  dark,  and  terminating  in 
our  favor." 

The  memoranda  quoted  above  in  answer  to  the 
fourteenth,  fifteenth,  and  sixteenth  interrogatories,  were 
made  by  Captain  Kyger  on  the  basis  of  information 
satisfactory  to  him,  obtained  and  entered  by  him  at  the 
time,  in  order  to  fill  dates;  perfecting  his  record  or 
memoranda  by  so  doing. 

As  one  of  the  committee  selected  to  prepare  this 
chapter,  we  have  made  a  fair  and  truthful  exhibit  from 
Captain  Kyger's  memoranda,  copying  such  portions  as, 
either  wholly  or  in  part,  answer  the  questions  sub- 
mitted. Having  been  a  member  of  Kyger's  company, 
serving  with  it  the  whole  time,  and  being  present  with 
it  the  entire  distance  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill, 
and  from  thence  to  Franklin  and  Nashville,  we  can  fully 
accept  as  truth  the  statements  quoted.  In  the  main 
they  agree  with  our  own  personal  knowledge  and  recol- 
lection. We  kept  no  memoranda;  Captain  Kyger  did; 
we  trusted  him,  and  he  must  be  correct.  If  anything 
is  conclusively  shown  by  Captain  Kyger's  statements, 
it  must  be  the  fact  that  the  73d  was  in  the  advance 
from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  November  29,  1864; 
and  not  only  that,  but  was  in  the  very  front  of  the 
advance — four  companies,  A,  F,  D,  and  I,  being  in 
advance  of  the  train ;  the  other  six  companies  being 
thrown  out  to  the  right  of  the  pike  as  "  flankers," 
ready  in  case  of  necessity  to  quickly  change  to  skir- 
mishers, as  they  did  before  reaching  Spring  Hill. 
The  enemy's  forces  were  hurrying,  making  forced 


A  "BRUSH"  WITH  CAVALRY.  415 

marches,  to  reach  Spring  Hill  before  we  should,  the 
object  being  to  intercept  and  capture  or  destroy  our 
train.  The  race  was  for  our  side,  too,  nearly  an  even 
one ;  but  we  got  there,  if  not  first,  at  least  in  time  to 
meet  and  repel  the  enemy's  advance  cavalry.  Who 
would  meet  and  repel  the  enemy's  advance,  if  not  our 
advance?  0  yes;  we  were  in  front  on  the  move- 
ment from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill.  The  2d  Division 
had  the  advance  of  the  other  two  divisions  of  the  4th 
Army  Corps ;  the  1st  Brigade,  Opdycke's  brigade,  had 
the  advance  of  the  other  two  brigades  of  the  2d  Divis- 
ion, and  the  73d  Illinois  had  the  advance  of  the  other 
six  regiments  of  Opdycke's  1st  Brigade  of  the  2d 
Division,  part  of.it — four  companies — being  in  front  of 
the  foremost  wagon  in  our  train  (and  it  must  be  con- 
ceded that,  as  we  were  then  moving,  the  train  was  to 
the  front),  the  other  six  companies  of  the  regiment 
being  deployed  to  the  right  of  the  pike  as  "  flankers," 
and  later  on,  also  as  skirmishers ;  and  between  the  73d 
and  the  enemy's  cavalry  when  it  first  appeared  and 
attacked — that  is,  if  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  not  there 
first — nothing  interposed,  nothing  whatever.  It  must 
be  borne  in  mind  just  here  that  the  four  companies 
of  the  right  wing  of  the  regiment,  detailed  as  the  ad- 
vance guard  and  skirmishers,  and  Company  C  and  the 
entire  left  wing,  detailed  as  flankers  and  skirmishers, 
did  not  have  exactly  the  same  position  and  experience 
on  reaching  Spring  Hill;  did  not  have  exactly  the  same 
duty  to  perform.  The  former  may  have  attacked  the 
enemy,  while  the  latter,  being  in  another  place,  a  little 
removed,  were  attacked  by  the  enemy.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  however,  there  was  a  collision  between  us  and 
the  enemy,  and  Colonel  Opdycke  and  the  remainder  of 


416  THE  ENEMY  NOT  "BASHFUL." 

his  brigade  coming  up,  the  enemy's  cavalry  was 
repulsed,  and  not  only  that,  but  was  driven  off  quite  a 
distance ;  and  holding  our  position,  our  part  of  the  line, 
we  did  not  participate  in  the  heavier  fighting  which 
occurred  later,  and  continued  until  after  dark.  That 
part  of  Captain  Kyger's  memoranda  quoted  in  answer 
to  question  number  seven,  fixes  the  time  of  our  arrival 
at  Spring  Hill,  by  necessary  implication,  at  about  half- 
past  two  o'clock  P.M.,  November  29th.  That  is  a 
little  earlier  than  we  thought,  but  we  think  the  captain 
is  correct.  We  had  to  get  there  pretty  early  in  order 
to  be  there  in  time  to  press  back  the  van  of  Forrest's 
cavalry,  as  we  did.  After  night-fall,  after  all  fighting 
had  ceased,  the  enemy's  infantry  began  going  into  camp. 
At  one  time  we  were  a  little  apprehensive  that  he  was 
going  to  trespass  on  our  space,  the  way  he  spread  out. 
In  this  connection  we  will  copy  Captain  Kyger's  mem- 
oranda, the  last  entry  made  under  date  of  November 
29th.  It  reads: 

"  The  valley  south-east  is  lighted  up  with  rebel  camp-fires ; 
looks  as  though  there  might  be  a  corps  of  infantry  there.  Pros- 
pects look  gloomy  for  all  our  train  to  be  saved." 

This  statement  was  amply  warranted  by  the  facts,  or 
at  least  by  the  indications,  as  to  the  situation  at  the 
time.  Captain  Kyger  was  with  his  company  during  the 
night,  as  it  was  standing  on  the  picket-line,  and  this 
writer  remembers  distinctly  that,  in  conversing  with 
him,  in  very  mildly-voiced  words,  the  question  with  us 
was,  How  near  are  we  to  the  rebel  pickets? — the 
question  being  suggested  by  our  close  proximity  to  the 
enemy's  camp-fires.  So  close  were  we  that  we  could 
hear  the  common"camp-talk,  but  not  to  the  extent  of  de- 
termining what  was  said.  Never  before  in  our  experience 


CO  VERINQ  THE  RE  TREAT.  417 

did  we  perform  picket  duty  so  near  to  an  enemy's  camp. 
The  entries  under  date  of  November  30th  we  have 
copied  almost  entirely,  in  answer  to  eleventh  and  other 
questions  following  it.  That  we  fell  back,  marched  in 
line  of  battle  from  Spring  Hill  to  within  three  miles  of 
Franklin,  is  clearly  shown  by  Captain  Kyger's  state- 
ment, which,  being  true,  proves  our  claim,  and  conse- 
quently entitles  us  to  the  credit  of  constituting  a  part 
of  the  "rear  guard,"  and  assisting  in  covering  the  re- 
treat of  our  forces.  Captain  Kyger  being  taken  sick, 
left  the  line  just  as  he  describes  in  that  part  of  the 
statement  copied  in  answer  to  question  number  eleven, 
and  was  with  his  company  no  more  until  it  reached 
Nashville.  Of  this  we.  are  personally  aware,  as  the 
command  of  Kyger's  company  devolved  upon  the 
writer,  his  lieutenant,. after  he  left.  But  after  leaving 
the  company,  Captain  Kyger,  being  very  sick,  was 
helped,  as  he  describes,  to  the  rear — that  is  in  the 
direction  of  Franklin — and  while  lying  near  the  pike 
was  struck  by  a  spent  ball.  This  spent  ball,  of  course, 
came  from  the  enemy,  and  although  he  was  much 
farther  from  the  enemy  than  we  were,  yet  he  was  struck 
by  it;  proving  that  we  were  much  nearer  that  enemy, 
and  interposing  between  that  enemy  and  our  objective 
point,  Franklin,  and  our  hard-pressed,  retreating  forces. 
This  fourth  day  of  December,  1888,  we  met  Major 
Wilson  Burroughs,  of  Fairmount,  Vermilion  County, 
Illinois,  who  was  captain  of  Company  E,  of  the  73d  Illinois 
Infantry,  and  who  was  present  with  his  command  all 
the  time  during  the  campaign  from  Columbia  to  Nash- 
ville. Major  Burroughs  remembers  very  well  that  the 
regiment  was  in  the  advance  November  29,  1864,  from 
Columbia  to  Spring  Hill.  He  did  not  call  to  mind, 

27 


418  MAJOR  B  URRO  UGHS  'S  TESTIMONY. 

would  not  say  precisely,  as  to  the  time  of  day,  that  we 
arrived  there,  but  on  the  other  point,  as  to  our  regi- 
ment being  in  front  from  Columbia,  his  recollection  was 
clear.  As  to  our  movement  from  Spring  Hill  to  Frank- 
lin, the  mnjor  says  that  we  fell  back  in  line  of  battle; 
a  skirmish-line  was  in  our  front,  or  rear,  all  the  time. 
At  times  the  battle-line  and  skirmish-line  alternated, 
took  turns  in  skirmishing,  falling  back,  and  taking 
position,  thus  relieving  each  other.  This  was  especially 
the  case,  and  probably  necessary,  when  crossing 
streams  and  clearing  other  obstructions.  In  convers- 
ing with  Mjijor  Burroughs  our  memory  was  refreshed 
as  to  the  mode  of  our  falling  back  as  rear  guard  from 
Franklin.  We  knew,  however,  there  was  some  way  of 
explaining  how  it  was  that  we  occasionally  both  re- 
ceived and  returned  fire.  Mnjor  Burroughs's  state- 
ment furnishes  the  explanation.  On  the  other  points 
raised  by  the  interrogatories,  Mnjor  Burroughs  agrees 
substantially  with  the  other  statements  herein. 

We  will  now  allow  A.  Behrens,  of  Pekin,  Illinois, 
late  captain  of  Company  A,  44th  Illinois,  to  testify. 
His  answers  are  from  the  stand-point  of  the  44th, 
instead  of  the  73d  Illinois,  which,  taken  in  connection 
with  the  fact,  that  no  two  witnesses  interpret  the  intent 
and  scope  of  the  questions  alike,  will  help  to  account 
for  the  differences  and  discrepancies  between  state- 
ments. In  the  questions  where  the  73d  is  mentioned, 
Captain  Behrens  substitutes  44th  instead  of  73d.  It 
sometimes  happened  that  two  regiments  belonging  to 
the  same  brigade,  while  on  the  advance  or  in  action, 
would  be  some  distance  apart.  We  do  not  think  such 
was  the  case  in  this  instance  however. 


C A  P  TAIN  BEHRENS  'S  STA  TEMENT.  419 

5th  Ques.  What  position  in  the  marching  column  did  the 
44th  occupy  in  the  march  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill? 

"  Opdycke's  brigade  in  advance." 

6th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Spring  Hill? 

"  About  five  o'clock  P.  M." 

7th  Ques.  What  obstructions,  if  any,  did  you  see  in  the  road, 
at  or  near  Spring  Hill? 

"  Rebel  cavalry." 

8th  Ques.  As  to  special  duty  on  the  march  from  Columbia  to 
Spring  Hill,  and  as  to  the  officer  in  command,  etc.? 

"Driving  rebel  cavalry  from  Spring  Hill;  Colonel  Opdycke," 

9th  Ques.   What  position  did  you  occupy  at  Spring  Hill  ? 

"  In  line  of  battle,  to  the  right  of  turnpike." 

10th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  leave  Spring  Hill  for  Franklin  ? 

"About  six  o'clock  A.  M.,  November  30,  1864." 

llth  Ques.  What  position  did  the  44th  have  in  the  marching 
column  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin? 

"  Opdycke's  brigade  covered  the  retreat  to  Franklin." 

12th  Ques.  At  what  point  on  the  battle-line  were  you  at 
Franklin  ? 

"  On  left-hand  side  of  turnpike,  right  near  turnpike." 

13th  Ques.  By  whose  order  did  you  go  there  ? 

"Colonel,  commanding  regiment." 

14th  Ques.  At  what  time  did  you  leave  the  works  ? 

"  About  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock  at  night." 

15th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Nashville? 

"About  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  December  1,  1864." 
16th  Ques.  Give  full  account  of  the  battle  as  you  saw  it. 

"  When  Opdycke's  brigade  arrived  at  Franklin,  it  rested  about 
thirty  minutes  .on  turnpike  in  front  of  line  of  works ;  then  passed 
through  on  turnpike,  to  the  rear  of  the  works.  About  one  hour 
after  this,  rebels  charged  the  line  of  works  and  took  the  center, 
or  that  part  of  works  near  turnpike,  and  near  to  where  Opdycke's 
brigade  was  in  reserve.  At  once  Opdycke  ordered  his  brigade  to 
retake  line  of  works,  which  we  did  at  once,  and  in  splendid  style. 
Opdycke's  brigade  saved  the  battle  of  Franklin,  and  I  know  it." 

One  witness  may  make  the  date,  or  point  of  time,  of 
our  arrival  at  Spring  Hill  before  we  drove  the  rebel 
cavalry  away  from  there,  and  another  witness  make  it 


420  THE  ESSENTIAL  POINTS. 

after  that  event.  Then,  the  calculations  as  to  time  may 
have  been  made,  in  some  instances,  after  night  had  begun 
to  close  over  the  confusion  at  Spring  Hill.  The  day 
being  short,  and  the  dust  and  smoke  of  battle  hovering 
over  and  settling  down  upon  us,  no  doubt  misled  and 
tended  to  deceive  as  to  time.  Agreement  on  the 
essential  points  is  as  much  as  we  can  expect  in  dis- 
cussing the  events  of  twenty-four  years  ago. 

Knowing  Captain  Alexander  L.  Whitehall,  of 
Watseka,  Iroquois  County,  Illinois,  late  of  the  9th 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  to  be  pretty  thoroughly 
posted  on  the  battle  of  Franklin  and  the  campaign  im- 
mediately preceding  it,  we  wrote  to  him  and  obtained 
testimony  as  shown  in  part  herewith.  We  would  gladly 
give  the  whole  of  Captain  Whitehall's  evidence,  but  our 
space  will  not  admit  of  doing  so.  He  is  thoroughly 
fair  and  impartial,  and  seeks  to  do  justice  to  all.  We 
have  copied  what  ~we  have,  for  the  purpose  of  furnish- 
ing some  evidence  outside  our  own  brigade  to  corrobo- 
rate that  furnished  from  within  it.  Captain  Whitehall, 
in  answering  questions,  states  nothing  but  that  which 
came  within  his  personal  knowledge,  or,  if  otherwise, 
we  are  given  to  understand  that  the  information  is 
"  second  hand,"  or  based  on  common  report,  or  drawn 
from  well-authenticated,  accepted  history. 

Captain  Whitehall's  testimony  is  as  follows  : 

1st  Ques.  When  did  your  company  arrive  at  Columbia,  Ten- 
nessee ? 

"The  night  of  November  23d,  I  think." 

2d  Ques.  How  long  did  you  remain  there? 

"  On  south  side  of  river,  three  or  four  days." 

3d  Ques.  What  duty,  if  any,  did  your  company  do  at 
Columbia  ? 

"Threw  up  works  and  manned  them." 


A.  L.  WHITEHALL'S  EVIDENCE.  421 

4th  Ques.  When  did  you  leave  Columbia? 

"Left  north  side  of  river  November  29th,  in  the  morning; 
took  position  to  left  of  pike  and  fell  back  to  Spring  Hill." 

5th  Ques.  What  position  in  the  marching  column  did  the  73d 
occupy  in  the  march  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill  ? 

"Personally,  I  do  not  know;  was  in  the  1st  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps." 

6th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Spring  Hill? 

"  After  midnight,  November  29th. 

7th  Ques.  What  obstructions,  if  any,  did  you  see  in  the  road 
at -or  near  Spring  Hill? 

"Confederates  camped  east  of  pike,  and  2d  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps,  in  line  of  battle  between  them  and  the  pike." 

9th  Ques.  What  position  did  you  occupy  at  Spring  Hill  ? 

"Marched  through  Spring  Hill  on  the  pike." 

10th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  leave  Spring  Hill  for  Franklin? 

"Some  time  after  midnight." 

llth  Ques.  What  position  did  the  73d  have  in  the  marching 
column  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin? 

"Can  not  say;  only  by  common  report,  in  rear  brigade — 
Opdycke's." 

12th  Ques.  At  what  point  on  the  battle-line  were  you  at 
Franklin? 

"  On  right  of  line,  facing  south ;  our  left  joining  Ruger's  right." 

13th  Ques.  By  whose  order  did  you  go  there? 

"  Order  of  commander  of  1st  Division,  4th  Army  Corps." 

14th  Ques.  At  what  time  did  you  leave  the  works? 

"  Near  midnight." 

15th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Nashville  ? 

"Afternoon,  December  1,  1864." 

16th  Ques.  Give  full  account  of  the  battle  as  you  saw  it. 

"I  send  printed  proof-slip  of  my  description  of  the  battle  as 
given  at  our  late  regimental — 9th  Indiana  Infantry — reunion. 
Personally,  I  did  not  know  what  regiments  were  in  Opdycke's 
brigade,  but  I  have  a  recollection  that  the  brigade  was  rear  guard 
from  Spring  Hill,  and  I  saw  it  march  through  the  gap  at  the  pike 
a  little  before  the  grand  assault,  and  I  saw  it  form  and  charge  into 
the  rebels  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Carter  house  and  yard.  Have 
always  understood  that  the  73d  Illinois  formed  a  part  of  Opdycke's 
command  in  the  Franklin  fight.  I  send  you  proof-slips  of  that 
part  of  my  speech  referring  directly  to  Franklin." 


422 


THF  CASE  FAIRLY  STATED. 


We  received  the  proof-slips,  and  proceed  to  quote 
liberally  therefrom,  as  follows : 

"  The  disposition  of  the  forces  was  as  follows :  Out  in  front, 
perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  on  rising  ground,  lie  two  brigades 
of  our  2d  Division,  Wagner's  men,  in  line,  looking  toward  Spring 
Hill,  and  on  each  side  of  the  pike.  The  other  brigade  of  this 
division  had  been  rear  guard  from  Spring  Hill,  holding  in  check 
Hood's  advance  till,  about  noon,  it  halted  on  a  hill  about  a  mile  or 


FRANKUN  BATTLE-GROUND. 

so  out  of  town,  and  watched  Hood's  army  massing  for  the  grand 
charge;  and  then  later  it  passed  through  in  rear  of  the  outpost  bri- 
gades, and  kept  on  through  the  works,  and  halted  perhaps  two  or 
three  hundred  yards  inside  the  gap  at  the  pike,  on  the  left  of  it,  and 
the  men,  being  very  tired  and  hungry,  were  getting  a  meal  when 
the  breach  was  made  in  our  lines  at  the  pike." 

Notice  how  perfectly  Captain  Whitehall,  though  in 
another  division,  corroborates  Captain  Kyger  as  to  these 
preliminary  movements  of  Opdycke's  brigade.  He  could 
not  have  done  better  if  he  had  been  present  with 
Kyger  at  the  time,  looked  through  the  same  glasses, 


ILLINOIS  HONORED.  423 

and  then  copied  his  memoranda.  Taken  in  connection 
with  Captain  Whitehall's  answers  to  questions,  the 
foregoing  evidently  has  reference,  in  the  latter  and 
greater  portion,  to  Opdycke's  brigade — the  1st  Brigade, 
2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps.  He  goes  on  and  gives 
the  position  of  the  other  divisions,  and  gives  a  full  and 
accurate  description  of  the  situation,  bringing  his 
description  down  to  the  "  critical  moment :" 

"Just  at  the  critical  moment  when  all  seemed  but  lost,  the 
brigade  of  Opdycke's  that  had  halted  on  the  common,  several 
hundred  yards  back  of  the  gap  in  the  works,  sprung  for  its  stacked 
muskets  and  was  in  line  in  a  few  moments,  and  in  a  moment  later 
was  charging  down  upon  that  confused  mass  of  humanity  just 
inside  of  the  gap;  and  just  then  the  red-hot  work  in  our  front 
opened  up,  aud  when  we  next  got  a  glance  at  the  pike,  the  rebels 
had  been  pushed  back,  and  the  sun  set  upon  our  flags  once 
more  waving  defiance  from  our  restored  lines.  We  can  not 
describe  the  cheers  that  went  up  when  this  was  discovered  to  be 
a  fact.  ... 

"And  it  was  reserved  for  Opdycke's  brigade,  with  its  quickly 
formed  lines,  to  hurl  back  the  enemy  beyond  our  lines,  after  his  brief 
occupancy  of  them.  That  this  brigade  found  hard  fighting  is  a 
matter  of  history,  and  that  it  was  well  seconded  in  the  hand- 
to-hand  encounter  by  hundreds  of  the  fighting  fellows  of  Reilly's, 
Strickland's,  Conrad's,  and  Lane's  brigades,  is  also  an  undisputed 
fact;  every  man  counted  as  one,  who  stood  his  ground  in  that 
fierce  personal  encounter.  .  .  .  Illinois  was  honored  by 
having  five  of  her  representative  regiments  in  that  brigade  at 
the  fight;  viz.,  the  36th,  44th,  73d,  74th,  and  88th,  which,  with 
the  24th  Wisconsin  and  the  125th  Ohio — Opdycke's  own  regi- 
ment— constituted  the  brigade.  Opdycke,  though  youthful  in 
appearance,  was  cast  in  a  heroic  mold,  and  his  reply  to  General 
Thomas  as  he  was  directed  by  the  old  war-dog  to  hold  his  position 
at  Chickamauga  at  all  hazards,  '  We  will  hold  it,  General,  or  go 
to  heaven  from  it,'  shows  us  of  what  pluck  the  commander  of 
that  brigade  could  boast. 

"General  Stanley,  our  magnificent  corps  commander  at  the 
time  the  battle  opened,  was  across  the  river  watching  the  move- 
ments of  Hood ;  and  seeing  that  an  assault  was  intended,  spurred 


424  "SHALL  LIVE  IN  HISTORY." 

his  horse  to  its  best  speed,  and  riding  to  the  left  of  Opdycke's 
brigade,  led  the  gallant  fellows  against  the  enemy  inside  the  works. 
Opdycke  fought  like  a  young  tiger,  along  with  his  men,  and 
escaped  unhurt,  while  Stanley  received  an  ugly  wound  in  the  neck, 
but  continued  on  the  field,  and  rode  his  horse  back  to  Nashville 
the  next  day.  No  body  of  men,  it  is  ,said,  fought  more  coolly  and 
with  more  nerve  than  did  the  men  of  the  brigades  in  the  23d 
Corps  that  had  been  forced  out  of  their  works  at  the  first  onset, 
after  they  got  back  into  their  old  places  in  line  along  with  Op- 
dycke's and  Wagner's  men.  It  is  questionable  if  any  body  of  men 
could  have  held  the  works  unless  they  had  shot  down  our  own 
men  as  they  fled  from  the^  outposts  ahead  of  the  charging  Con- 
federates  

"Now,  comrades,  much  has  been  eaid  of  the  famous  charge  of 
Pickett's  division  at  Gettysburg ;  and  here,  upon  a  little  battle  front 
of  much  less  than  a  mile,  was  hurled  an  assaulting  column  com- 
posed of  two  veteran  corps,  with  another  full  corps  crowding 
almost  upon  their  heels  as  a  reserve ;  forty-five  thousand  men 
falling  upon  scarce  a  fifth  of  their  number,  lying  behind  frail 
works  thrown  up  in  a  few  hours  by  men  nearly  worn  out  with 
hard  marching  and  fighting  for  several  days  previous,  but  at  last 
brought  to  bay  there  in  the  bend  of  the  Harpeth  Eiver,  to  make 
a  desperate  fight  that  shall  live  in  history  as  one  of  the  bloodiest 
battles,  for  the  number  engaged,  the  ground  fought  over,  and  the 
time  of  actual  conflict,  that  has  ever  occurred  in  civilized  warfare." 

By  delving  into  Captain  Kyger's  memoranda  in 
search  of  evidence  upon  the  points  in  controversy,  we 
are  carried  back  in  strong  and  vivid  imagination  to  those 
old  days  crowded  with  important  events.  So  distinct  is 
our  recollection,  and  so  alert  and  active  is  our  imagina- 
tion, that  the  scenes  and  actors  are  all  but  reproduced 
before  us;  and  the  testimony  of  Captain  Kyger,  good 
man  as  he  was,  seems  almost  like  a  voice,  not  from  the 
grave,  but  .from  beyond  it.  After  all,  these  private 
memoranda,  evidence  taken  at  the  time,  are  the  most  satis- 
factory, the  witness  being  free  from  bias,  not  knowing 
that  the  facts  concerning  which  he  testifies  will  ever  be 
questioned.  We  will  now  introduce  some  testimony 


EVIDENCE  FROM  DIAEY.  425 

taken  from  the  memoranda  of  Sergeant  Alex.  C.  Nichol- 
son, of  Paxton,  Ford  County,  Illinois,  who  served  three 
years  in  Company  C,  73d  Illinois  Volunteers.  Observe 
how  his  testimony  tallies  with  that  of  his  captain: 

"  PAXTON,  SUNDAY,  December  2,  1888. 

"FRIEND  BILL, — Your  letter  and  questions  received  a  day  or 
so  ago.  I  do  not  know  of  any  better  way  to  answer  than  by 
copying  ray  diary,  which  I  will  do,  and  you  can  fill  in  the  answers 
accordingly.  Hoping  you  and  yours  and  the  boys  are  all  well,  I 
will  commence. 

When  did  your  company  arrive  at  Columbia,  Tennessee? 

"  LinnvUle,  Thursday,  November  24,  1864. — Awakened  by  the 
strike- tent  call  about  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  ordered  off  from  our 
coffee  at  3.30.  Marched  down  to  the  pike,  and  stayed  about  one- 
half  hour,  when  our  regiment  was  ordered  back  to  camp  to  stay 
till  the  troops  and  train  all  passed.  We  are  to  act  as  rear  guard. 
Started  after  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  arrived  at  Columbia  about 
five  P.  M.  The  road  was  lined  with  '  niggers'  and  citizens  flying 
to  our  lines.  There  was  some  heavy  skirmishing  along  the  road ; 
I  killed  three  hogs.  A  hard  march  of  eighteen  miles." 

We  will  copy  connectedly  from  the  sergeant's  diary  in 
answer  to  the  several  questions,  the  answers  to  most 
of  whiah  will  appear  sufficiently  prominent.  The  length 
of  time  we  remained  at  Columbia,  the  kind  of  duty  we 
did  while  there,  and  the  date  of  our  leaving  there,  is 
shown  in  what  we  copy  under  dates  of  November  25, 
26,27,  and  28,  1864: 

"  Friday,  November  25tii. — A  nice,  bright  day.  Ordered  up  and 
under  arms  at  daylight.  Mel.  gave  me  a  letter  that  came  last 
night,  dated  November  14th.  Detailed  for  picket;  went  on  at  ten 
A.  M.,  relieved  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.;  returned  to  camp;  got 
supper,  and  shortly  after  dark  the  strike-tent  call  sounded.  At 
about  eight  o'clock  P.  M.  fell  in  and  marched  about  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  north-west  of  town,  and  commenced  works  on  a  hill; 
(stole  hams.) 

"Saturday,  November  26th. — A  little  rain  last  night;  got  up 
early  and  finished  our  works.  Skirmishing  commenced  before  day, 


426  SERGEANT  A.  C.  NICHOLSON. 

and  now,  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  is  going  on  briskly;  the  wind 
blows  damp,  and  it  looks  like  rain,  both  of  lead  and  water.  There 
has  been  more  or  less  skirmishing  all  day.  At  five  o'clock  P.  M. 
ordered  to  strike  tents  and  be  ready  to  move  out.  Lay  around 
in  the  rain  till  about  eight  o'clock  P.  M.,  when  orders  came  to 
make  ourselves  comfortable  as  possible,  that  probably  we  would 
stay  all  night.  A  rainy,  nasty  night;  we  stayed. 

"  Sunday,  November  27th. — A  cloudy,  windy  day ;  still  in  camp, 
owing  to  pontoon  across  the  river  being  broken.  The  battery 
came  back  this  morning.  Skirmishing  going  on  along  the  picket- 
line  ;  wrote  to  wife ;  could  see  rebel  trains  moving  up ;  received 
orders  to  march  at  dark.  Moved  at  nine  o'clock  P.  M. ,  and  marched 
across  Duck  River,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  where  we  arrived 
at  one  o'clock  A.  M.,  one  and  one-half  miles  from  town. 

"  Monday,  November  28th. — A  cloudy  morning ;  heavy  skirmish- 
ing going  on  at  the  river.  At  10.30  o'clock  A.  M.  we  moved 
from  two  and  a  half  miles  north-east  to  about  two  miles  north  of 
town.  Skirmishing  going  on  all  day,  but  we  have  not  participated. 
Put  up  tents,  and  stayed  all  night." 

The  position  the  73d  had  in  the  marching  column 
from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill;  the  time,  approximate 
time,  that  we  reached  there ;  the  obstructions  (if  any) 
found  in  the  road  at  or  near  there;  the  special  duty, 
and  the  position  we  occupied  at  Spring  Hill,  on  Novem- 
ber 29,  1864,  are  indicated  in  the  sergeant's  entry  of 
that  date,  which  is  as  follows : 

"  Tuesday,  November  29th. — Left  camp  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M., 
and  moved  out  to  pike.  About  three  miles  from  Spring  Hill, 
Company  C  and  the  left  wing  of  the  73d  Regiment  deployed  as 
flankers  at  twenty  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock  noon,  and  moved 
parallel  with  the  pike,  the  balance  of  the  regiment  acting  as 
skirmishers  in  the  advance.  At  one  and  a  half  o'clock  P.  M.  the 
rebel  cavalry  made  a  dash  on  us  at  Spring  Hill,  but  we  drove  it 
back,  killing  three  men  and  horses;  we  were  relieved,  and  came 
back  to  the  brigade  and  rested.  Skirmishing  is  going  on  briskly 
as  far  back  as  we  can  hear,  at  2.30  o'clock  P.  M.  At  about  four 
o'clock  P.  M.  we  moved  out  to  support  the  88th  Illinois.  At 
5.30  P.  M.  \ve  were  sent  to  the  picket-line ;  the  regiment  was  cut 


THE  "GAP"  FILLED.  427 

up  and  put  in  different  parts  of  the  line.  The  2d  and  3d  Bri- 
gades of  our  division  have  been  heavily  engaged,  but  with  slight 
loss.  Our  entire  train  and  army  succeeded  in  getting  past,  leaving 
us  in  the  rear." 

The  remaining  seven  questions  of  the  list,  are  for  the 
most  part,  answered  by  the  entries  under  date  of  No- 
vember 30,  1864.  These  entries  are : 

"  Wednesday,  November  30th. — We  formed  skirmish-line  at  day- 
break, and  drew  in  our  pickets ;  our  brigade  covering  the  retreat, 
with  the  88th  Illinois  on  the  skirmish-line  (the  88th  having  re- 
lieved us  from  picket).  The  44th  and  73d  Illinois  regiments 
marched  in  first  line  of  battle.  The  rebels  kept  close  up  to  us, 
but  did  not  drive  in  our  skirmishers.  We  reached  the  line  of  hills, 
three  miles  south  of  Franklin,  about  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
planted  a  battery  on  top  of  the  hill  on  east  side  of  the  pike, 
where  we  had  a  good  view  of  the  rebels;  remained  about  three- 
fourths  of  an  hour,  when  we  were  ordered  to  follow  the  troops. 
We  fell  in,  and  moved  off  of  the  hill  towards  town  about  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile,  when  we  received  orders  to  '  about  face,'  and  go 
back  to  our  position  on  the  hill ;  as  quickly  as  possible  did  so, 
and  stayed  there  about  one-half  hour,  when  we  were  called  into 
line  and  moved  into  the  outskirts  of  town,  where  we  got  dinner  (had 
fresh  pork).  At  four  o'clock  P.  M.  the  rebels  began  to  come  for  us, 
our  brigade  to  be  in  reserve,  but  about  4.30  P.  M.  the  rebels 
charged  furiously;  the  center  on  the  pike  gave  way;  the  44th 
Missouri  and  72d  Illinois  began  to  run  like  h — 1  from  their  rifle- 
pits.  Our  brigade  was  called  to  attention,  and  in  less  than 
two  minutes  we  were  going  on  the  keen  run,  trying  to  drive  our 
men  back ;  the  rebels  had  driven  them  out  of  their  first  line  and 
got  into  it,  and  half-way  to  our  second  and  last  line,  but  we  drove 
them  back  to  the  outside  of  our  first  line,  and  from  that  time  till 
10.30  P.  M.,  when  I  left  the  lines,  we  kept  up  a  constant  stream  of 
fire  on  them,1  killing  a  great  many  of  them  and  getting  a  goodly 
number  of  our  men  killed,  but  nothing  like  the  number  of  theirs. 
Our  adjutant  was  killed ;  Major  Motherspaw  was  wounded ;  also 
Captain  Jones  of  D,  and  Lieutenant  Riser  of  A,  Gill  Harbinson 
of  B,  Tom  Biddle  of  H,  and  S.  Orwig  of  G,  killed.  Several 
others  in  the  regiment  were  wounded:  John  Doop,  breast;  Joe 
Reagan,  slight,  head;  Jos.  A.  Allison,  thigh.  At  about  twelve 
o'clock  at  night,  we  fell  in  and  crossed  the  river,  and  marched  all 


428  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS. 

night;  arrived  at  Nashville  outskirts  at  about  11.30  o'clock 
A.  M. ,  and  got  dinner,  December  1,  1864.  We  moved  to  the 
north-west  and  camped  for  the  night.  A.  Jones  and  Z.  Fulton 
still  missing." 

The  sergeant  adds  "  amen,"  and  concludes  his  letter 
thus : 

"  Well,  Bill,  here  is  the  best  answer  to  your  letter  and  questions 
that  I  can  give.  Could  tell  some  '  nanny  goats.'  Ask  Mel.  Sheets 
if  he  relished  his  fresh  pork  at  Franklin.  The  boys  none  of  them 
answer  my  letters.  I  have  written  to  Bob  Cowan  and  to  '  Jack 
of  Clubs,'  but  no  answer." 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  we  have  answered,  and 
asked  for  some  "  nanny  goats."  But  to  the  evidence. 
What  is  more  conclusively  shown  by  the  foregoing 
statements  than  these  two  leading  facts;  viz.,  that 
the  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps,  was  in 
the  advance  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  and  was 
also  in  the  rear,  serving  as  rear  guard,  from  Spring  Hill 
to  Franklin  ?  On  the  movement  to  Spring  Hill  the  4th 
Army  Corps  was  in  advance  of  the  other  corps,  the  2d 
Division  was  in  advance  of  the  other  two  divisions  of 
the  4th  Corps,  and  the  1st  Brigade,  Opdycke's  brigade,  in 
advance  of  the  other  two  brigades  of  the  2d  Division  ; 
and  that  is  not  quite  all  yet:  the  73d  Illinois  in  advance 
of  the  other  six  regiments  of  Opdycke's  brigade — the 
73d  in  the  very  foremost  advance,  ahead  of  all  our 
forces.  True,  the  rebel  cavalry  were  ahead  of  us ; 
must  have  been  moving  on  an  outer  line,  on  a  parallel 
road,  or  it  would  not  have  reached  Spring  Hill  by  the 
time  we  did,  or  a  little  before.  We  had  our  little 
brush  with  Forrest's  cavalry  and  brushed  it  aside,  say- 
ing to  it,  "Hands  off,  this  is  our  train;  these  mules, 
these  cracker  and  bacon  wagons,  these  powder  and  bul- 


HAD  TO  HOLD  THE  PIKE.  429 

let  wagons  are  ours;  this  pike  is  ours,  or  if  not  ours, 
we  are  going  to  have  the  use  of  it."     We  did  have  the 
use  of  it,  but  had  to  fight  for  it.     Later,  the  remainder 
of  our  brigade  and  division  came  up,  and  the  rebel  in- 
fantry began  to  arrive.  Quite  a  spirited  engagement  was 
had,  and  much  confusion  prevailed,  but  the  2d  Division 
maintained  its  grip  on  that  pike  until  re-enforcements 
and  night  came  to  its  relief.     Under  cover  of  darkness 
possession  was  maintained  of  that  pike  until  morning. 
Meantime  our  trains  passed  along  that  pike ;  the  23d 
Army  Corps   passed ;  the   1st  and  3d  Divisions  of  the 
4th  Corps  passed.     Recur  now  to  what  Captain  White- 
hall says  in  answer  to  the  seventh  question:  "Confed- 
erates camped  east  of  pike,  and  2d  Division,  4th  Army 
Corps,  between  them  and  the  pike."     The  enemy  was 
camped  within  a  half  mile  of  the  pike,  and  our  division 
was  in  line  of  battle  between  him  and  the  pike.     This 
was  the  situation  after  midnight,  too,  as  appears  from 
Captain   Whitehall's  answer   to    question   number  six. 
Well,  still  later,  near  morning  of  November  30th,  the 
2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  our  2d  Division  pulled  out,  and 
our  brigade,  Opdycke's  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps,  was  left  in  the  rear.     At  daybreak  or  a 
little  later — later,  we  say — our  brigade    began  falling 
back  -in  line  of  battle,  ns  rear  guard,  with  one  of  its  regi- 
ments  deployed  and  thrown  out  as  skirmishers.     Our 
brigade  was  the  first  to  arrive  at  Spring  Hill,  and  the 
latest,  the  very  last,  to  leave  Spring  Hill.     It  stuck  to, 
stood  by  Spring  Hill  as  long  as  it  wanted  or  needed  to, 
or  longer,  and  then  left  Spring  Hill.     In  the  movement 
on  November  29th  it  was  in  front;   next  day  it  was 
in   the  rear.      That  was   not   unusual ;   in  fact,  it  was 
common,  for  a  brigade  to  be  in  front  one  day  and  in  the 


430  OPD YOKE'S  BRIGADE. 

rear  next  day,  especially  with  reference  to  corps  or 
division  organization.  But  in  this  case,  our  brigade 
was  in  front  of  the  whole  business  one  day,  and  in  the 
rear  of  the  whole  business  next  day.  The  serious  part 
of  it  was,  the  danger  was  in  front  the  day  the  brigade 
was  in  front,  and  next  day,  when  it  was  in  the 
rear,  the  danger  was  there  also ;  our  forces  having 
gotten  around  or  past  those  of  the  enemy  during  the 
night,  and  our  division,  the  greater  part  of  it,  in  line 
of  battle,  holding  open  the  avenue  of  escape.  The  88th 
Illinois,  it  appears,  was  on  the  skirmish-line,  and  the 
44th  and  73d  Illinois  were  in  the  first  line  of  battle, 
in  support  of  the  88th,  on  November  30,  1864,  when 
falling  back  as  rear  guard  on  Franklin. 

This  accounts  for  three  regiments  of  the  brigade. 
Where  were  the  other  four?  We  shall,  perhaps,  be  able 
to  show  where  the  36th  and  74th  Illinois  were — show 
approximately,  at  least — but  ns  to  the  24th  Wisconsin 
and  the  125th  Ohio,  we  have  no  data  or  evidence  at  hand 
to  show  where  they  were  or  the  kind  of  duty  they 
did  on  this  retreat;  but  they  were  undoubtedly  near 
at  hand.  In  the  Revised  Reports  of  the  Adjutant-Gen- 
eral of  the  State  of  Illinois,  in  Vol.  III.,  page  36,  ap- 
pears a  brief  history  of  the  36th  Illinois,  from  which 
we  extract  the  following : 

"  On  September  25th  was  ordered  back  to  Chattanooga,  leav- 
ing that  place  on  the  2d  of  October,  in  pursuit  of  Hood ;  marched 
to  Ringgold,  Shell  Mound,  Whitesides,  Gordon's  Mills,  Summer- 
ville,  Alpine,  Huntsville,  Athens,  Pulaski,  Columbia,  Spring 
Hill,  and  Franklin,  and",  being  rear  guard,  was  under  fire  almost 
continuously  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin.  It  was  there  engaged 
in  the  hottest  of  that  memorable  battle ;  General  Thomas  person- 
ally thanking  the  regiment  for  its  bravery  and  gallantry  in  that 
fight." 


REVISED  REPORTS.  431 

The  statement,  "being  rear  guard  and  under  fire  al- 
most continuously  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin,"  would 
seem  to  indicate  with  sufficient  certainty  the  position 
of  the  36th  on  the  movement  from  Spring  Hill,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1864.  As  to  the  74th  Illinois,  it  appears  that 
this  regiment  was  consolidated  with  the  88th  Illinois, 
and  under  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  of  the  88th. 
Whether  this  consolidation  was  effected  before  Novem- 
ber 30th  does  not  appear.  If  before,  then  the  74th 
must  have  been  on  the  skirmish-line  with  the  88th 
between  Spring  Hill  and  Franklin. 

The  history  of  the  74th  Illinois,  as  appears  in  Vol. 
IV,  at  page  593,  of  the  Revised  Reports  of  the  adju- 
tant-general of  the  State,  says  : 

"The  74th,  while  still  comprised  in  the  1st  Brigade,  became 
part  of  the  2d  Division  of  the  4th  Army  Corps,  and  so  continued 
until  the  close  of  the  war." 

The  history,  in  noting  the  events  of  November  29, 
1864,  says : 

"At  Spring  Hill  the  4th  Corps  had  a  lively  engagement  with 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  driving  the  rebel  force  over  a  mile.  In  this 
action  the  74th  had  one  man  killed  and  three  wounded." 

Reference  to  the  events  of  November  30th,  and  the 
conduct  of  the  74th  and  88th  in  the  action  at  Frank- 
lin, contains  this  language: 

"  Of  the  loss  to  the  regiment  that  day  no  record  has  been  found. 
In  that  action  the  74th  and  88th  were  united,  and  acted  as  one 
regiment,  under  command  of  Colonel  Smith,  of  the  88th.  The 
next  day  Generals  Thomas  and  Wood  rode  along  the  line,  and  halt- 
ing in  front  of  the  consolidated  regiments,  General  Wood  called 
forward  Colonel  Smith,  and  addressing  him  said:  'I  wish,  Colonel, 
in  the  presence  of  General  Thomas,  to  repeat  what  General  Stan- 
ley assured  me  was  true ;  that  it  is  owing  to  the  bravery  of  your- 
self and  men  that  we  saved  the  army  at  Franklin.'" 


432  SERGEANT  REUBEN  JACK. 

The  consolidation  here  spoken  of  may  have  been 
temporary,  and  merely  for  convenience,  pending  the  en- 
gagement at  Franklin,  although  it  appears  the  two  reg- 
iments were  still  consolidated  next  dav,  December  1st, 

*   J 

and  may  have  been  for  several  days  before  that  date. 
We  are  generally  interested  in  the  record  of  the  1st 
Brigade,  and  particularly  in  that  of  the  73d  Illinois  Regi- 
ment. Our  claims,  we  think,  are  fully  proven ;  but  we 
have  more  evidence,  and  will  introduce  it,  condensing 
as  much  as  we  can  without  impairing  its  force.  Ser- 
geant Reuben  Jack,  of  Fairmount,  Illinois,  who  served 
three  years  in  Company  E,  73d  Illinois,  says  he  does 
not  remember  dates  very  well,  but  states,  in  answer  to 
fourth  question,  that  we  left  Columbia  during  the  night. 
To  the  next  the  sergeant  answers: 

"The  regiment  acted  as  flankers,  marching  on  the  right  of 
the  road,  until  near  Spring  Hill,  when  it  was  thrown  to  the  front 
as  skirmishers." 

6th.  "  We  reached  Spring  Hill  some  time  after  noon." 

7th.  "  Saw  Confederate  cavalry  in  the  road  at  or  near  Spring 
Hill." 

8th.   "We  did  duty,  first  as  flankers,  and  then  as  skirmishers." 

9th  and  10th.  "Our  position  at  Spring  Hill  was  on  the  skir- 
mish and  picket  line ;  we  left  Spring  Hill  early  in  the  morning 
of  November  30th.  The  23d  Corps  and  all  of  the  4th  Corps,  ex- 
cepting our  brigade,  passed  along  the  pike,  getting  well  on  the  way 
to  Franklin  before  daylight." 

llth.  "The  regiment,  with  the  other  regiments  of  our  bri- 
gade, marched  in  line  of  battle  as  rear  guard  until  we  reached 
the  line  of  hills  south  of  Franklin,  where  a  section  of  artillery 
was  posted." 

12th.  "  We  were  taken  in  and  filed  off*  to  the  left — west  side — 
of  the  pike,  just  behind  the  line  of  battle,  and  when  the  enemy 
assaulted  the  works,  the  line  broke  and  gave  way,  and  we  went 
into  the  breach,  drove  the  enemy  out  of  our  works  and  occupied 
them." 

13th.   "I  did  not  hear  any  order  to  go  there." 


MORE  EVIDENCE.  433 

14th.  "  I  left  the  works  about  midnight ;  do  not  think  fifty  men 
crossed  the  bridge  over  the  Harpeth  River  that  night  after  I  did." 
15th.  "  We  reached  Nashville  the  next  afternoon." 
16th.  "  When  the  brigade  (the  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps)  arrived  at  Franklin  (after  having  marched  all  the 
way  in  line  of  battle  from  Spring  Hill  to  the  range  of  hills  about 
two  miles  south  of  Franklin),  there  was  no  room  for  us  in  the 
works,  and  the  brigade  was  halted  just  in  rear  of  the  lines,  and  it 
stacked  arms.  Part  of  the  brigade  was  on  the  east  and  part  on 
the  west  side  of  the  pike,  and  we  supposed,  as  we  had  been  on 
the  picket-line  at  Spring  Hill  all  night  the  night  before,  and 
marched  in  line  of  battle  that  day  from  there  to  Franklin  as  rear 
guard,  that  very  likely  we  would  be  sent  over  the  river.  But 
when  the  assault  was  made,  it  struck  our  two  brigades — the  2d 
and  3d — which  had  been  posted  out  about  a  half  mile,  behind 
some  stone  walls,  and  they  were  compelled  to  fall  back ;  and  in 
coming  back  the  men  were  mixed  up  with  the  Confederates  so  that 
the  men  in  our  lines  did  not  like  to  shoot,  and  they  all  came  to  the 
works  at  about  the  same  time ;  and  I  remember  distinctly  how  the 
balls  were  flying,  and  our  boys  saying,  '  Let  us  go  to  the  works ;' 
and  when  the  line  gave  way,  there  was  an  uprising  (it  seemed  spon- 
taneous) and  a  general  movement  toward  the  works ;  and  I  know 
that  when  we  got  up  to  the  works  by  the  brick  house — the  Carter 
house — the  Confederates  were  over  the  works,  on  our  side  many  of 
them,  and  we  fought  with  them,  and  held  the  works.  This  is 
about  all  I  know  about  the  battle,  as  I  did  not  have  time  to  look 
around  much." 

John  W.  Sherrick,  of  Camp  Point,  Illinois,  lieu- 
tenant of  Company  H,  73d  Illinois,  answers  the  several 
questions  substantially  as  follows : 

"Arrived  at  Columbia  November  26th,  I  think.  Remained 
there  two  or  three  days.  Think  we  dug  rifle-pits  north  of  river, 
and  we  left  there  November  29th,  in  the  morning.  From  Colum- 
bia to  Spring  Hill  our  brigade  had  the  advance.  We  reached 
Spring  Hill  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  I  saw  no  obstruc- 
tion in  the  road  at  Spring  Hill.  We  were  in  line  of  battle  north- 
east of  Spring  Hill.  We  advanced  and  drove  the  rebels  back, 
and  were  on  picket  all  night.  We  started  for  Franklin  after  sun- 
rise, November  30th.  On  the  way  to  Franklin  we  were  rear 

28 


434  LIE UTENANT  SHERRICK. 

guard.  Our  position  in  the  line  of  battle  at  Franklin  was  be- 
tween the  Carter  house  and  the  locust  grove,  just  to  the  left  of  the 
locust  grove.  We  heard  no  orders  to  go  there.  We  left  the 
works  between  ten  o'clock  and  midnight,  and  reached  Nashville 
near  noon  next  day,  December  1st. 

"  Our  regiment  was  resting  two  or  three  hundred  yards  back 
of  the  Carter  house  when  Hood  advanced  to  the  attack.  As  the 
rebel  yell  drew  nearer,  our  men  sprang  to  their  guns,  stood  a  few 
moments  listening  to  the  confusion  in  front;  then,  as  if  by  inspira- 
tion, the  whole  line  broke  for  the  works.  There  were  no  orders 
for  this  move.  As  we  were  going  to  the  works,  Colonel  Opdycke's 
adjutant  rode  up  to  Major  Motherspaw,  and  ordered  him  to  halt 
his  regiment,  saying  that  '  there  were  no  orders  to  move.'  The 
major  replied  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  stop  the  men.  The 
rest  of  the  brigade  followed  our  regiment,  and  as  there  were 
several  buildings  and  fenced  lots  between  us  and  the  works,  the 
brigade  was  badly  mixed  up  when  it  got  there.  The  troops 
stationed  in  the  works  had  broken  and  run.  When  we  got  to  the 
works  the  rebels  were  coming  over  them  in  places.  We  drove 
them  back  very  soon,  and  held  the  line  till  about  ten  o'clock  at 
night,  when  we  withdrew,  and  crossed  the  river. 

"The  movement  of  our  brigade  to  the  front  was  without 
orders.  I  saw  and  heard  Opdycke's  staff  officers  trying  to  stop  the 
men.  They  said  there  were  no  orders  to  move." 

We  are  inclined  to  concur  in  nearly  the  whole  of 
Sherrick's  statement,  excepting  perhaps  that  portion 
relating  to  obstructions  at  Spring  Hill.  We  think  Sher- 
rick  either  does  not  consider  cavalry  much  of  an  obstruc- 
tion to  an  infantry  force,  or  else  was  under  the  im- 
pression that  the  kind  of  obstructions  meant  were  logs, 
felled  trees,  barricades,  or  something  of  that  kind ;  but 
such  obstructions  would  have  amounted  to  little — noth- 
ing really — unless  an  enemy  was  posted  behind  them. 
The  men  of  the  left  wing  of  the  regiment,  and  of  Com- 
pany C,  saw  no  obstructions,  except  Forrest's  cavalry. 
The  men  of  the  four  right  companies  saw  obstructions, 
which  were  intended  to  be  in  the  way  of  the  enemy's 


THE  IMP  ERA  TIVE  NEED.  435 

cavalry.  Companies  A  and  F  built  a  barricade,  a  tem- 
porary breastwork,  across  the  pike,  to  enable  them  to 
check  and  hold  the  rebel  advance  until  the  remainder 
of  the  regiment  and  brigade  should  arrive.  This  fact 
alone  proves  that  the  73d  Illinois  had  the  advance 
November  29th,  from  Duck  River,  and  was  the  first 
regiment  to  reach  Spring  Hill  on  that  day.  As  to  the 
battle  at  Franklin,  we  fully  agree  with  Sherrick.  The 
movement  of  our  brigade,  or  of  the  regiment  at  least, 
was,  we  think,  wholly  in  anticipation  of  orders.  If 
there  were  orders,  we  did  not  hear  them ;  we  communicated 
none  to  our  company.  Every  man  of  our  company,,  in- 
cluding one  with  a  furlough  in  his  pocket,  was  ready  as 
soon  as  we  were;  every  man  saw  the  emergency,  and 
the  irresistible  tendency  was  toward  the  breach,  and 
with  cheers  and  an  impetuous  rush  to  the  front,  with 
fixed  bayonets,  that  breach  was  filled,  the  line  was 
restored,  and  the  army  saved.  Opdycke's  brigade  did 
its  plain,  simple  duty  at  Franklin.  It  was  a  perilous 
and  an  imperative  duty,  requiring  in  its  performance  a 
splendid  and  grand  courage. 

T.  J.  Wakefield,  of  Company  B,  73d  Illinois,  of 
Anson,  Kansas,  does  not  remember  dates  very  well, 
but  does  remember  facts  and  circumstances.  His  testi- 
mony on  the  main  points,  raised  by  the  several  ques- 
tions, is  as  follows : 

"  We  left  Columbia  for  Spring  Hill  in  the  morning.  The  73d 
Illinois  marched  in  the  advance,  and  reached  Spring  Hill  at  about 
three  o'clock  P.  M.  The  obstructions  at  or  near  Spring  Hill  were 
the  enemy's  cavalry  and  a  section  of  artillery.  At  Spring  Hill  we 
charged  the  enemy,  and  lay  on  the  skirmish-line,  in  sight  of  the 
enemy,  all  night.  We  left  Spring  Hill  at  day-break  next  morn- 
ing. We  were  rear  guard  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin.  Our 
position  in  the  battle  line  at  Franklin  was  to  the  right  of  pike, 


v  CAPTAIN  CHARLES  TILTON. 

facing  the  enemy,  near  the  Carter  house.  Went  there  without 
orders,  and  left  there  near  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.  Reached  Nash- 
ville at  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  next  day.  I  remember  very 
plainly  that  before  we  got  to  the  ridge  that  crosses  the  pike,  two 
miles  south  of  Franklin,  the  enemy  crowded  on  us,  and  we  turned 
on  him  with  artillery,  and  held  him  a  half  hour,  and  in  that  little 
skirmish  the  enemy  put  a  bullet  through  my  blanket  (which  was 
rolled  and  tied  on  top  of  my  knapsack),  and  sent  me  on  my  head, 
and  J.  B.  Baylor  helped  me  up.  We  fell  back  about  two  hundred 
yards  in  the  rear  of  the  works  at  Franklin,  and  commenced  making 
coffee ;  but  before  we  got  to  drink  it  the  enemy  came  on  a  charge 
for  our  works,  and  I  can  almost  yet  hear  Joshua  Bailey  say,  '  Fall 
in,  Company  B,'  and,  without  further  orders,  we  rallied  on  the 
colors,  and  run  for  the  works;  but  before  we  got  to  the  brick,  or 
Carter  house,  our  boys  came  rushing  out  of  the  works,  back 
through  our  regiment.  When  we  got  to  the  works  we  found  the 
enemy  had  possession ;  but  he  got  out,  and  we  got  in.  I  remember 
there  was  a  section  of  a  battery  in  rear  of  us,  firing  over  our  heads, 
and  the  horses  ran  away  with  the  caissons.  George  Patten  helped 
carry  ammunition  to  supply  our  guns.  After  we  took  possession 
of  the  works,  every  assault  the  enemy  made  was  repulsed.  General 
Pat  Cleburne  was  killed  in  front  of  our  regiment." 

Captain  Charles  Tilton,  of  Company  E,  73d  Illinois, 
now  of  Fairmount,  Illinois,  answers  questions  numbers 
7,  12,  13,  and  14  as  follows : 

"  Cavalry  and  infantry  were  the  obstructions  at  or  near 
Spring  Hill. 

"  Our  position  in  the  battle-line  at  Franklin  was  to  the  right 
of  Spring  Hill  pike,  left  resting  on  it. 

"No  order  was  given;  we  saw  the  emergency,  and  filled  the 
gap.  We  left  the  works  at  ten  o'clock  at  night." 

Captain  Tilton  says  he  went  along  our  line  of  works 
as  late  as  ten  o'clock  P.  M.,  or  later,  and  helped  with- 
draw, "  call  off,"  the  men  who  were  the  last  to  leave 
the  works  in  front  of  the  Carter  house. 

David  McDonald,  of  Georgetown,  Illinois,  who 
served  three  years  in  Company  C,  73d  Illinois,  and 


DAVID  MCDONALD.  437 

who  was  present  with  the  company  on  the  campaign 
from  Columbia  to  Nashville,  responds  to  the  several 
questions  substantially  as  follows : 

1st.  "Arrived  at  Columbia,  Thursday  evening,  November  24, 
1864." 

2d.  "  Remained  there  four  days ;  three  south  and  one  north 
of  river." 

3d  and  4th.  "  While  there  we  did  duty  on  the  skirmish-line, 
and  on  the  morning  of  November  29th  we  started  for  Spring 
Hill." 

5th.  "The  73d  Illinois  had  the  extreme  advance,  four  com- 
panies taken  as  advance  guards." 

6th.  "  We  reached  Spring  Hill  at  about  one  o'clock  P.  M." 

7th.  "  Obstructions  in  or  near  the  road  were  rebel  cavalry." 

8th.  "The  entire  73d  regiment  was  deployed  as  advance 
guards  and  flankers  for  the  marching  column,  and  Major  Mother- 
spaw,  I  think,  was  in  command  of  the  flankers." 

9th.  "  At  Spring  Hill,  we  were  on  the  skirmish-line,  and  on 
picket  north-ea'st  of  town." 

10th.  "  We  left  Spring  Hill  for  Franklin  between  day-break 
and  sunrise." 

llth.  "From  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin  we  covered  the  retreat 
of  our  forces ;  were  deployed  as  rear  guard,  and  brought  up  the 
extreme  rear." 

12th.  "The  point  we  held  in  the  battle-line,  at  Franklin,  was 
just  west  of  pike,  between  the  brick  house  and  the  locust  grove; 
part  of  our  regiment  opposite  the  locust  grove." 

13th.  By  whose  order  did  you  go  there  ? 

"Actually  by  instinct,  but  suppose  by  Opdycke's  order." 

14th.  "  We  left  the  works  at  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night." 

15th.   "  We  reached  Nashville  at  noon  of  December  1st." 

16th.  "The  73d  went  to  the  works  without  orders,  but  I  after- 
wards learned  that  General  Stanley  rode  up  to  Colonel  Opdycke 
and  ordered  him  to  recapture  the  works ;  but  the  73d  was  well  on 
its  way  to  the  works  before  the  order  was  given  to  Opdycke.  When 
we  got  to  the  works  the  rebels  were  jumping  over  on  our  side  like 
sheep  in  a  wheat- field.  We  had  the  battle  hand-to-hand,  and  were 
finally  successful  in  checking  the  rebel  advance,  capturing  prisoners 
inside  our  lines.  We  held  the  works  against  repeated  assaults 
until  we  withdrew  at  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M." 


438  THE  COLOR-BEARER. 

Robert  James  Hasty,  of  Company  C,  73d  Illinois, 
color-bearer,  furnishes  us  some  testimony  taken  in  part 
from  a  diary  which  he  kept,  covering  the  time  of 
the  fall  campaign  in  1864  in  Tennessee.  Sergeant 
Hasty  lives  near  Newport,  Indiana,  and  still  has  his 
diary.  He  served  as  color-bearer  of  the  regiment  from 
Chickamauga  to  the  end  of  the  war.  We  give  the 
main  points  embraced  in  the  sergeant's  testimony: 

"  We  did  picket  duty,  and  were  detailed  to  burn  a  house 
between  the  picket-lines  while  near  Columbia." 

"The  73d  Illinois  crossed  Duck  River  on  night  of  November 
27th,  at  nine  o'clock,  and  camped  in  a  corn-field,  where  we  lay  all 
day  of  the  28th." 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  we  started  for  Spring  Hill,  the 
73d  Illinois  in  the  advance;  four  companies  were  sent  on  in  ad- 
vance of  the  regiment." 

"We  reached  Spring  Hill  near  noon,  and  engaged  Forrest's 
cavalry  at  once." 

"  There  were  no  obstructions,  excepting  the  enemy." 

"  Four  companies  of  the  73d  were  detailed  early  in  the  morn- 
ing to  go  to  Spring  Hill  as  advance  guard  for  the  train  ;  Com- 
panies A,  F,  D,  and  I  were  detailed,  and  Captain  Patten,  of 
Company  I,  was  in  command  of  the  detail.  The  balance  of  the 
regiment  was  detailed  as  flankers  when  within  two  miles  of  town." 

"When  opposite  town,  on  east  side,  we  met  and  engaged  For- 
rest's cavalry.  I  was  detailed,  the  night  of  the  29th,  to  find  the 
right  of  our  picket-line,  and  the  left  of  the  line  of  the  28th  Ken- 
tucky, which  I  did,  encountering  considerable  difficulty,  as  well  as 
danger." 

"  We  left  Spring  Hill  at  daylight  of  November  30th." 

"Our  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps,  was  rear 
guard  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  marched  in  double 
line  of  battle  from  Spring  Hill  to  within  two  miles  of  Franklin." 

"  On  reserve  by  Opdycke's  order;  counter-charge  made  at  our 
own  option." 

"  We  left  the  works  at  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M." 

"  We  reached  Nashville,  my  diary  says,  at  twelve  o'clock  noon, 
December  1st." 


"FORWARD  TO  THE  WORKS."  439 

"  We  arrived  and  halted  two  miles  south  of  town,  about 
eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  We  lay  here  for  a  short  time,  and  then  drew 
inside  of  the  line  of  battle  around  Franklin,  and  took  position  on 
right  of  Columbia  pike,  in  the  rear  of  the  72d  Illinois  and  the 
44th  Missouri.  I  got  permission,  and  went  to  see  some  friends  in 
an  Indiana  regiment.  While  making  this  visit,  the  enemy  charged 
our  lines.  I  returned  to  the  73d  just  as  it  Avas  falling  into  line ; 
we  were  ordered  to  lie  down,  which  we  did.  We  were  in  that  posi- 
tion but  a  short  time  before  we  saw,  first  a  few  men  coming  past 
the  house,  through  the  garden,  followed  almost  immediately  by 
scores  of  others.  It  became  evident  that  our  forces  were  leaving 
the  lines,  and  that  we  would  have  to  go  to  them.  I  so  stated  to 
Comrade  Bishop,  at  the  same  time  rising  to  my  feet.  Major 
Motherspaw  swung  into  his  saddle,  and  gave  the  order,  '  Forward, 
73d,  to  the  works!'  The  rebels  had  possession  of  a  portion  of  the 
works,  which  we  retook,  with  many  prisoners  and  several  stands  of 
colors.  From  that  time  until  we  left  the  lines,  there  was  much 
desperate  fighting,  with  heavy  losses  on  both  sides.  I  see,  from  the 
National  Tribune,  that  the'  23d  Army  Corps  are  trying  to  steal  1st 
Brigade  honors,  but  we  know  who  received  the  thanks  of  General 
Thomas  in  person.  I  do  not  know  whether  this  will  be  of  any 
account  to  you.  One  thing  I  do  know,  the  answers  to  the  ques- 
tions are  correct,  my  diary  being  kept  up  each  day  as  the  events 
transpired." 

Charles  W.  McNichols,  of  Company  B,  73d  Illinois, 
now  of  Oconee,  Illinois,  furnishes  a  statement,  which, 
as  here  condensed,  sets  forth  as  follows : 

"  We  reconnoitered  and  skirmished  while  at  and  near  Colum- 
bia. We  left  there  on  Sunday  night ;  failed  on  night  before  on 
account  of  pontoon  giving  way.  Know  that  the  73d  was  in  the  ad- 
vance from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill.  We  reached  Spring  Hill 
after  noon.  Obstructions  there  were  the  armed  enemy.  As  cor- 
poral, I  was  ordered  with  two  or  three  men  to  keep  stragglers 
from  passing  ahead  of  command ;  before  reaching  Spring  Hill  we 
were  deployed  off  to  the  right  of  pike,  as  flanking  skirmishers. 
Our  position  at  Spring  Hill  was  out  north-east,  and  joined  others 
nearer  the  pike ;  advanced  a  little  and  were  ordered  down  in  a 
hollow  so  battery  could  open  fire;  occupied  skirmish-line  until 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  left  Spring  Hill  after 


440  McNICHOLS'S  STATEMENT. 

daylight.  Our  position  on  the  way  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin 
was  in  the  rear  line  of  battle,  a  skirmish-line,  a  little  farther  to  the 
rear.  Our  position  in  the  line  of  battle  at  Franklin  was  in  front 
of  the  Carter  house ;  think  our  line  extended  to  the  pike.  Do 
not  know  by  whose  order  we  went  there.  We  left  the  works  some- 
time after  dark  and  we  reached  Nashville  the  next  afternoon." 

Stuart  F.  Hoskinson,  of  Company  G,  73d  Illinois, 
of  Blakely,  Washington  Territory,  who  was  severely 
wounded  at  Franklin,  answers  a  few  of  the  questions 
asked,  and  then  gives  a  full  account  of  the  battle  as  he 
saw  it.  We  condense  his  statement: 

"From  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  we  were  flankers  in  front; 
we  reached  there  after  noon  of  November  29th ;  we  saw  no 
obstructions.  In  the  fight  at  Spring  Hill  we  were  east  of  the  pike ; 
the  whole  regiment  was  on  picket  at  night ;  I  was  some  distance 
east  on  a  hill.  We  left  Spring  Hill  by  day-break.  From  Spring 
Hill  to  Franklin,  we  were  part  of  the  rear  guard]  there  was  some 
skirmishing  on  the  way.  Our  position  in  the  line  of  battle  at 
Franklin,  was  west  of  the  Columbia  pike  and  south  of  the  Carter 
house.  When  we  got  into  Franklin,  some  time  after  noon,  we 
were  marched  some  two  hundred  yards  to  rear  of  Carter  house, 
and  halted  on  west  side  of  pike  to  be  held  as  reserve ;  were 
ordered  to  send  after  rations;  detail  was  made  and  started  across 
the  river;  but  before  it  got  over,  the  battle  began.  We  were 
ordered  to  arms,  and  stood  in  line  until  the  battle  raged  up  to  the 
works  when  the  brigades  out  in  front  came  in  on  the  run,  with 
rebel  line  close  behind.  This  caused  those  who  occupied  the  works 
to  break,  and  the  whole  body  of  men  in  our  front  was  coming 
back  as  fast  as  they  could  get  back  for  fences  in  the  way.  Our 
Major  Motherspaw,  seeing  the  rout,  gave  the  order,  '  73d  for- 
ward,' before  Colonel  Opdycke  did.  I  well  remember  what  a 
badly  demoralized  mob  we  met  just  in  the  yard  at  the  Carter 
house;  it  was  a  fight,  nearly,  to  get  to  the  front,  they  wildly  strug- 
gling to  the  rear,  and  we  crowding  to  the  front.  When  we  got 
out  of  the  jam  so  we  could  see,  our  men  had  left  the  front  line,  and 
the  inside  line  was  nearly  deserted,  and  many  rebels  nearly  to 
second  line.  We  opened  fire  and  just  before  we  got  to  the  rear  line 
of  works,  we  saw  a  reb.  on  top  of  the  outer  line,  with  his  gun 


THE  TWO  HOSKINSONS.  441 

clubbed  ready  to  strike  one  of  our  men  who  had  failed  to  get  out 
when  the  others  ran ;  we  pulled  down  on  his  '  bread-basket/  and 
saw  him  throw  up  his  hands  and  fall  backwards.  We  dropped 
behind  the  inside  works,  and  began  firing  as  fast  as  we  could  load. 
Just  at  our  right  there  was  a  section  of  a  battery,  brass  pieces, 
which  gave  the  enemy  canister  as  long  as  it  held  out.  I  was 
wounded  at  about  eight  o'clock,  and  during  a  lull  in  the  firing  got 
behind  Carter's  house,  and  lay  there  until  some  of  the  boys,  about 
ten  P.  M.,  came,  asking  if  any  of  the  73d  were  there.  I  called 
out  I  was,  and  was  carried  down  town  to  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
where,  with  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  others,  I  was  made 
prisoner  at  the  falling  back  of  our  men  at  midnight  or  there- 
about. I  was  a  prisoner  until  after  the  battles  of  Nashville,  and 
the  recapture  of  Franklin  by  our  men  on  December  17th.  There 
were  only  two  other  members  of  the  regiment,  so  far  as  I  know, 
prisoners  with  me.  One  was  Joseph  A.  Allison,  of  Company  C, 
who  died  December  10th.  He  lay  only  the  seccond  man  from  me, 
and  gave  me  his  watch  and  trinkets,  to  send  to  his  wife,  which  I 
did,  through  some  of  the  boys  who  came  to  see  me  after  the 
recapture.  The  other  man  Avas  James  D.  Branch,  of  Company 
D,  who  was  shot  through  the  neck,  both  collar-bones  broken.  He 
got  to  his  railroad  station,  only  seven  miles  from  his  home,  and 
died  there." 

Right  here,  in  connection  with  the  last  foregoing 
statement,  we  give  the  testimony  of  Commissary-Ser- 
geant Riley  M.  Hoskinson,  Father  of  Stuart  F.,  who 
was  well  known,  and  is  now  well  remembered  by  all 
survivors  of  the  73d : 

"As  to  duty  done  at  Columbia,  I  saw  several  of  the  men  go 
off  with  spades.  We  left  there  near  midnight ;  crossed  a  bridge ; 
then  camped  till  daylight,  when  some  shells  were  thrown  among 
us.  The  men  marched  at  side  of  the  road  and  some  distance  from 
it.  We  arrived  at  Spring  Hill  early  in  the  afternoon ;  did  not 
see  any  obstructions.  We  left  Spring  Hill  for  Franklin  before 
daylight.  The  73d  were  what  was  called  rear  guard.  About  three 
o'clock  P.  M.,  I  was  ordered  to  cross  the  Harpeth  River,  draw 
rations,  and  stay  by  them  till  ordered  away.  We  left  the  works 
about  midnight.  We  reached  Nashville  at  about  three  o'clock 


442  ''GUN-BOAT.1' 

P.  M.  next  day.  Saw  but  little  of  the  battle.  About  three 
o'clock  P.  M. ,  Major  Motherspaw  said  to  me:  'Sergeant  Hoskin- 
son,  gather  all  the  bummers  you  can  find,  and  go  across  the  river 
and  draw  three  days'  rations,  and  stay  by  them  till  we  come  for 
them.'  By  the  time  I  had  collected  some  twenty  men,  the  battle 
had  begun,  and  musket-balls  were  rattling  like  hail-stones  against 
the  frame  houses.  By  the  time  I  got  to  the  river  I  had  not  a  man 
with  me ;  I  never  knew  what  became  of  them.  When  I  came  to 
the  bridge,  a  guard  stationed  there  would  not  let  me  cross  over 
for  about  an  hour.  Finally  they  let  me  go  over,  and  I  collected 
the  rations  the  best  I  could,  and  piled  the  cracker-boxes  into  a 
small  breastwork,  and  sat  down  behind  it,  where  I  stayed,  listen- 
ing to  the  awful  combat  till  about  midnight,  when  Captain  Inger- 
soll  and  a  few  others  came  and  carried  away  a  small  portion  of 
the  rations.  Captain  Ingersoll  said  to  me :  '  Sergeant,  your  son  is 
killed ;  he  is  shot  through  the  lungs  and  is  bleeding  from  his 
mouth  and  nose.'  We  then  started  off  on  a  rapid  march,  I  knew 
not  whither.  Marched  all  night  and  until  three  o'clock ;  next  day 
came  in  sight  of  Nashville.  Having  slept  scarcely  any  at  Colum- 
bia, none  at  Spring  Hill,  and  none  at  Franklin,  we  would  fall 
asleep  as  we  marched  along,  and  knock  against  each  other.  Arriv- 
ing at  Nashville,  I  was  ordered  to  take  men  and  go  for  beef  about 
half  a  mile  distant.  Captain  Burroughs  told  me  '  to  let  it  go,'  as 
he  would  not  send  the  tired  men  after  it.  I  then  drew  a  few 
rations  at  three  different  points,  and  some  codfish  and  whisky  at 
another.  Then  I  hastily  put  up  my  dog-tent,  drank  about  half  a 
tea-cup  of  whisky,  lay  down,  and  did  not  awaken  until  nine 
A.  M.  next  day," 

W.  B.  Ward,  of  Company  B,  73d  Illinois,  and 
David  N.  Alexander,  of  same  company,  have  each  con- 
tributed some  testimony,  generally  corroborative  of  that 
already  shown  herein.  W.  B.  Ward,  nicknamed  "Gun- 
boat," lives  near  Fairbury,  Illinois,  and  David  N. 
Alexander  lives  at  Mound  City,  Kansas.  If  the  enemy 
found  we  had  a  "  Gun-boat "  at  Spring  Hill,  that  may 
help  to  account  for  his  failure  to  better  improve  his 
opportunity  for  dealing  our  forces  a  destructive  blow 
there.  After  answering  questions,  "  Gun-boat "  adds : 


BATTLE-FIELD. 


443 


"  This  is  as  near  as  I  can  remember.  It  was  a  long  time  ago, 
you  know  ;  but  I  can  say  the  old  73d  always  did  her  duty  nobly, 
and  has  never  received  the  credit  she  deserved.  I  hope  you  will 
have  this  straightened  out  as  it  ought  to  be." 

D.  N.  Alexander  supplements  his  statement  by 
quite  an  additional  account  of  the  battle  of  Franklin, 
and  a  diagram  of  the  field,  both  pretty  correct,  show- 
ing that  he  was  there,  and  knows  whereof  he  speaks. 

Daniel  Reid,  sergeant  of  Company  B,  73d  Illinois 
Volunteers,  furnishes  a  statement  wherein  he  sets  forth 
that  the  regiment  was  in  front  on  the  movement  from 


BATTLE-FIELD — COTTON-GIN — FRANKLIN,  TENNESSEE. 

Duck  River  to  Spring  Hill,  also  in  the  rear  from  Spring 
Hill  to  Franklin.  After  answering  all  the  questions  in 
the  list,  the  sergeant  proceeds,  and  gives  at  some  length 
a  description  of  the  battle  of  Franklin  as  he  saw  it.  We 
copy  only  a  portion,  as  follows : 

"Two  of  Wagner's  brigades  were  left  out  in  front  to  watch 
the  movements  of  the  enemy,  and  when  the  attack  was  made  at 
four  o'clock  P.  M.,  he  held  his  ground  quite  too  long,  until, 
flanked  on  both  sides,  he  was  compelled  to  retreat.  Consequently 
the  '  Yanks '  and  '  Rebs '  came  in  together,  creating  a  panic 
among  the  new  troops  who  were  occupying  the  works  in  the 
vicinity  of  Columbia  Pike.  Colonel  Opdycke  had  ordered  our 


444  "STOP  TEA  T  REGIMENT." 

brigade  under  arms,  and  was  moving  from  the  west  to  the  east 
side  of  the  pike  when  the  wave  struck  us.  Major  Motherspaw 
took  in  the  situation,  and  gave  the  order,  '  Go  FOE  THEM,  BOYS  ;' 
when  the  regiment,  as  one  man,  sprang  with  a  yell,  and  did 
'go  for  them,'  not  stopping  until  the  works  were  regained; 
although  Opdycke  sent  an  aid  after  us,  yelling,  'Stop  that  regi- 
ment,' 'Stop  that  regiment!'  After  night,  Company  B  was 
moved  to  a  position  east  of  the  pike  near  the  cotton-gin,  where 
we  remained  until  our  lieutenant  came  to  us  and  said,  '  Boys, 
we  are  left  alone ;  keep  quiet,  and  we  will  get  out  of  here.'  Well, 
now,  you  bet  we  did  not  go  out  of  there  with  a  yell.  .  .  . 
Some  time  on  December  1,  1864,  about  noon,  I  think,  we 
reached  Nashville.  A  few  days  later  our  brigade  was  called  into 
line,  and  was  reviewed  by  General  Thomas.  A  complimentary 
order  was  read,  giving  the  brigade  the  honor  of  saving  the  day  at 
Franklin." 

From  Major  Huffman's  statement  we  quote  a  por- 
tion of  his  description  of  the  situation  as  it  appeared  to 
him  at  the  time  our  brigade  was  making  the  counter- 
charge and  restoring  our  line.  Huffman  is  the  man 
who  officiated  as  fife-major  of  the  regiment  for  some  time, 
until  that  office  or  rank  was  discontinued.  He  shook 
hands  with  the  adjutant  at  Camp  Butler,  and  was  a 
member  of  Company  C : 

"  Our  brigade  was  ordered  to  retake  the  works.  There  were 
some  inquiries  like  this:  'What's  the  order?'  '  Who  said  so?'  But 
all  was  explained  when  we  saw  the  new  and  clean  blue-coats,  by 
the  hundreds,  running,  and  the  rebs.  coming  over  the  works  after 
them.  Our  company  was  among  the  first  to  reach  the  works ;  yet 
it  was  very  hard  to  tell  who  were  first,  we  were  so  badly  mixed  up 
with  old  soldiers  going  forward,  new  soldiers  going  back,  and  rebs. 
running  both  ways.  The  firing  was  kept  up  from  the  rebel  bat- 
tery and  by  their  infantry,  and  also  from  our  works.  I  could  not  tell 
for  several  minutes  which  were  prisoners,  the  rebs.  or  ourselves; 
each  ordering  the  other  to  surrender,  and  many  on  each  side  club- 
bing their  guns  and  chasing  each  other  around  the  houses ;  but 
after  a  while  several  hundred  rebs.  were  marched  back  as  prison- 
ers. After  the  prisoners  were  put  under  guard,  we  resisted  a 


SERGEANT  ED  WIN  ROBERTSON.  445 

number  of  bayonet  charges,  and  we  left  the  works  at  about  ten 
o'clock  P.  M.,  and  crossed  the  river." 

Sergeant  Edwin  Robertson,  of  Company  E,  73d 
Illinois,  of  Fairmount,  Illinois,  submits  the  following 
testimony: 

"We  arrived  at  Columbia,  November  24,  1864.  "We  left 
Duck  River  the  morning  of  November  29th.  We  marched  with 
the  column  until  we  were  thrown  out  as  flankers,  on  nearing  Spring 
Hill ;  it  was  about  noon  when  we  arrived  there.  Rebel  cavalry 
were  to  the  right  of  pike,  and  were  the  only  obstruction.  Our 
position  was  with  the  brigade  on  the  left  of  the  line.  The  brigade 
was  deployed  out,  with  from  three  to  five  men  in  a  place,  as  far 
as  it  would  reach.  In  this  position  we  passed  the  night,  and 
started  for  Franklin  at  dawn  of  November  30th.  The  88th 
Illinois  were  skirmishers,  to  the  rear;  the  73d  was  in  the  rear  line 
of  battle  on  the  right  of  pike  as  we  fronted  south.  In  the  line  of 
battle  at  Franklin,  we  were  to  the  right  of  the  pike,  by  the  house 
known  as  the  Carter  house.  Went  there  without  orders,  so  far  as 
I  know,  and  left  there  near  midnight ;  reached  Nashville  by  noon 
of  December  1st.  It  is  impossible  to  give  anything  like  a  full 
account  of  what  I  saw  of  the  battle,  or  even  the  half  of  it.  Am 
satisfied  the  73d  did  its  full  share  at  the  battle  of  Franklin." 

We  give  below  the  testimony  of  Sergeant  W.  H. 
Bullard,  of  Company  A,  73d  Illinois,  touching  his  per- 
sonal recollections  and  recorded  data  concerning  the 
campaign  from  Columbia  to  Nashville.  As  the  sergeant 
speaks  "  by  the  card,"  we  condense  his  testimony  but 
little  : 

4th  Ques.  When  did  your  company  leave  Columbia  ? 

"  Left  camp,  and  joined  column  on  turnpike  before  sunrise 
the  morning  of  November  29,  1864.  Camp  on  north  side  Duck 
River  is  the  camp  I  speak  of." 

5th  Ques.  What  position  in  the  marching  column  did  the  73d 
have  on  the  way  to  Spring  Hill  ? 

"The  regiment  started  at  the  head  of  column  of  2d  Division, 
4th  Army  Corps,  four  companies  detached  for  advance  guards,  and 
the  other  six  taken  as  flankers." 


446  SERGEANT  W.  H.  BULLARD. 

6th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Spring  Hill  ? 

"I  think,  about  noon  of  November  29,  1864." 

7th  Ques.  What  obstructions,  if  any,  did  you  see  in  the  road 
at  or  near  Spring  Hill  ? 

"  The  enemy,  one-half  mile  north  of  Spring  Hill." 

8th  Ques.  As  to  special  duty  on  the  march  from  Columbia, 
the  sergeant's  answer  is : 

"  Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I  were  detached  for  advance  guards. 
I  was  detached  from  Company  A  with  several  men,  and  ordered  to 
take  and  maintain  a  distance  of  from  two  to  four  hundred  yards 
in  the  advance." 

9th  Ques.  What  position  did  you  occupy  at  Spring  Hill? 

"On  arrival,  Companies  A  and  F  barricaded  the  turnpike  on 
north  side  of  town,  and  held  position  until  the  arrival  of  column, 
then  joined  the  regiment  on  the  left  of  the  line." 

10th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  leave  Spring  Hill  for  Frankliu  ? 

"  About  sunrise  on  November  30,  1864." 

llth  Ques.  What  position  did  the  73d  have  in  the  marching 
column  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin? 

"The  regiment  marched  in  line  of  battle  on  the  right  of  turn- 
pike, fronting  south,  until  within  a  short  distance  of  the  town  of 
Franklin,  then  marched  in  column." 

12th  Ques.  At  what  point  on  the  battle-line  were  you  at 
Franklin  ? 

"  In  the  Carter  house  yard,  on  the  right  of  the  Columbia  turn- 
pike, at  the  point  where  the  rifle-pits  joined  some  out-buildings/' 
13th  Ques.  By  whose  order  did  you  go  there? 
"Heard  no  order,  except  Major  Motherspaw's. 

14th  Ques.  At  what  time  did  you  leave  the  works  ? 

"I  think,  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.,  November  30,  1864." 

15th  Ques.  What  time  did  you  reach  Nashville? 

"About  noon,  December  1,  1864." 

16th  Ques.  Give  full  account  of  the  battle  as  you  saw  it : 

"  The  73d,  after  falling  in  column  and  passing  the  2d  and  3d 
Brigades  lying  behind  a  stone  fence  or  wall  on  either  side  of  the 
turnpike,  halted,  as  did  all  our  1st  Brigade,  and  stacked  arms  in 
open  ground  in  rear  of  main  line  of  intrenchments  occupied  by 
new  troops  attached  to  the  23d  Army  Corps.  At  the  first  onset 
of  the  enemy  these  new  troops  fled,  and  the  line  was  re-established 
by  the  1st  Brigade — our  brigade — of  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps, 
assisted  by  the  rallying  men  of  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  our 


ADVANCE  FROM  COLUMBIA.  447 

division ;  we  repulsed  all  attacks  of  the  enemy,  and  were  slowly 
withdrawn  after  ten  o'clock  P.  M.  Our  brigade,  while  not  the 
last,  was  among  the  last,  withdrawn  to  the  north  side  of  the  Har- 
peth  River,  and  thence  to  Nashville." 

In  his  letter  transmitting  the  foregoing  statement, 
Sergeant  Bullard,  describing  the  operations  of  the  73d 
on  November  29,  1864,  says : 

"The  column  was  formed  on  the  turnpike  north  of  Duck  River, 
opposite  Columbia,  before  sunrise.  The  73d  Illinois  was  at  the 
head  of  the  column.  Before  moving,  the  assistant  adjutant-general 
on  the  brigade  staff,  and  Wilmer,  our  regimental  adjutant,  came 
to  the  front  and  cut  off  Companies  A,  F,  D,  and  I,  for  advance 
guards.  You  [meaning  Captain  Patten]  were  the  ranking  officer 
present.  .  .  .  After  we  were  detached,  the  instructions,  as 
overheard  by  me,  were  to  proceed  to  Spring  Hill,  where  two  com- 
panies were  to  be  deployed  upon  the  turnpike  and  two  upon  the 
railroad,  and  catch  stragglers,  of  whom  there  were  many  from  the 
recruits  that  had  been  forwarded  to  the  veteran  regiments.  You 
were  further  instructed  to  detach  a  non-commissioned  officer  and 
a  number  of  men,  as  an  advance  to  the  advance  guard.  In  pur- 
suance of  these  instructions,  I  was  detached  from  Company  A,  put 
in  charge  of  a  squad,  and  sent  forward,  with  instructions  to  main- 
tain a  distance  of  two  to  four  hundred  yards  in  advance,  and  to 
notice  particularly  for  any  indications  of  the  enemy.  Adjutant  Wil- 
mer and  Captain  Lakin  gave  me  the  instructions  in  your  presence 
[Captain  Patten's].  I  proceeded  to  Spring  Hill  without  interrup- 
tion, passed  through  town  to  the  north  side,  halted,  and  was  soon 
joined  by  Lieutenant  Kiser,  with  Companies  A  and  F,  you 
having  taken  Companies  D  and  I,  and  gone  to  the  railroad  at  the 
depot.  We  then  started  out  north  of  Spring  Hill  to  deploy  as 
skirmishers,  as  ordered,  and,  as  we  supposed,  to  catch  stragglers. 
Before  we  had  gone  very  far,  a  cavalryman  passed  and  reported 
the  rebels  coming,  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  strong;  the 
cavalryman  was  considerably  excited,  as  we  were  incredulous  and 
made  quite  a  number  of  slight  remarks  about  his  report ;  but  we  went 
but  a  short  distance  before  we  discovered  the  enemy's  skirmishers 
advancing.  Lieutenant  Kiser,  after  a  hasty  consultation  with  several 
of  us,  decided  to  go  back  to  the  point  where  I  had  halted,  where 
there  was  a  building  on  each  side  of  the  turnpike.  We  went 


448  SPRING  HILL. 

back,  tore  down  some  rail  fences,  and  constructed  a  barricade 
across  the  turnpike.  About  the  time  we  had  completed  it,  General 
Wagner  and  staff  rode  up  to  us  with  the  salutation  of  '  What  does 
this  mean?'  Kiser,  pointing  to  the  enemy's  advancing  skirmish- 
ers, said,  '  That  is  what  it  means.'  General  Wagner's  only  reply 
was  to  the  bugler,  to  '  sound  doubk-quick.'  A  few  minutes  later 
the  head  of  the  column  came  up,  panting,  and  deployed,  facing 
east.  But  instead  of  the  remaining  six  companies  of  the  73d  be- 
ing in  front,  they  had  been  deployed  as  flankers  on  the  right,  and 
I  think  the  44th  was  at  the  head  of  the  column.  We  remained 
where  we  were  until  the  assault  by  the  Confederate  cavalry  col- 
umn was  repulsed  by  the  fire  of  the  73d,  as  skirmishers,  combined 
with  that  of  the  batteries.  I  feel  good  yet  when  I  think  how 
coolly  those  six  companies  of  the  73d  stood  there  in  that  open  field 
east  of  town,  and  stubbornly  fired  into  that  advancing  column,  that 
looked  to  us  like  it  would  ride  them  down.  After  that  repulse 
we  were  ordered  to  join  the  regiment,  and  did  so,  and  took  a  posi- 
tion out  north-east  of  town.  I  do  not  know  where  you,  with 
Companies  D  and  I,  rejoined  the  regiment." 

Now,  that  is  a  plain,  simple,  and  truthful  statement 
by  the  sergeant  who  had  charge  of  the  advance  squad. 
The  statement  was  not  made  for  publication  either;  but 
we  give  it  for  the  truth  it  contains,  as  it  is  founded  on 
memoranda,  made  at  the  time — while  the  events  were 
fresh  and  hot,  so  to  speak. 

J.  D.  Remington,  Company  I,  73d  Illinois,  submits 
answers  to  questions  propounded,  which  answers,  with 
very  few  exceptions,  agree  with  other  statements  ap- 
pearing herein.  In  response  to  the  sixteenth  inter- 
rogatory, or  request,  Comrade  Remington  says : 

"  After  we  got  inside  our  lines  we  formed  to  the  rear,  or  just 
north  of  the  Carter  house,  and  were  ordered  to  get  something  to 
eat,  as  we  had  been  too  busy  to  eat  since  leaving  Spring  Hill ; 
but  before  many  of  us  got  supper  we  were  ordered  by  Major 
Motherspaw  to  fix  bayonets,  and  prepare  for  a  charge,  and  in  less 
than  two  minutes  he  gave  this  order,  '  73d,  charge  bayonets,' 
and  when  we  started  the  rest  of  the  brigade  started  too." 


THE  SEVENTY-THIRD  TO  THE  FRONT.  449 

This  would  seem  to  corroborate  or  support  the  claim 
that  of  Opdycke's  brigade,  the  73d  Illinois  initiated, 
was  at  the  very  beginning  of,  the  movement  which  car- 
ried the  brigade  into,  the  open  and  rapidly  widening 
breach  in  our  front  line.  Remington  further  states  : 

"Before  we  reached  our  line  we  met  troops  retreating  at 
break-neck  speed.  The  enemy  was  in  possession  of  a  Federal 
battery  and  our  breastworks.  .  .  .  This  took  place  at  the  old 
log  stable.  .  .  .  The  artillerymen  returned  with  us  to  their 
guns,  and  fired  on  the  retreating  Confederates,  but  they  did  not 
all  retreat,  for  we  had  it  rough  and  tumble  for  a  while ;  in  fact,  it 
was  a  regular  knock-down,  but  we  did  not  take  time  to  drag  them 
out.  In  about  five  minutes  (I  think  it  was)  after  we  reached  our 
works,  we  had  full  possession  of  them,  and  they  charged  us  twice 
more,  and  were  handsomely  repulsed  both  times." 

Remington  describes  the  battle  at  some  length,  mak- 
ing the  number  of  assaults  made  by  the  enemy  before 
dark  three,  and  the  number  made  after  dark  at  least 
four.  He  tells  how,  in  the  second  assault,  he  captured 
a  Confederate  flag,  being  compelled  to  kill  the  brave 
rebel  soldier  having  it  in  charge ;  how  he  came  to  de- 
liver it  to  an  officer  of  the  125th  Ohio,  who  unjustly 
and  wrongfully  refused  next  day  to  return  to  Reming- 
ton his  well-earned  trophy,  but  appropriated  it,  and 
claimed  it  was  captured  by  his  own  regiment.  Reming- 
ton corroborates  the  statement  that  the  Confederate 
General,  Pat  Cleburne,  was  killed  on  the  works  manned 
by  the  73d  Illinois,  and  states  that  Cleburne's  last 
words  were :  "  Men,  follow  me  into  Franklin  or  hell." 
Concluding  his  statement,  Remington  says  : 

"  I  was  in  the  battles  of  Perry ville,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga, 
Missionary  Ridge,  the  East  Tennessee  campaign,  and  all  through 
the  Atlanta  campaign.  I  was  at  Spring  Hill,  Franklin,  and  last, 
but  not  least,  Nashville;  but  Franklin  was  the  hardest,  bloodiest 

29 


450  COMPANY  I  TESTIMONY. 

and  most  wicked  fight  I  was  ever  in ;  in  fact,  it  was  the  only  time 
I  ever  saw  the  bayonet  and  butts  of  muskets  used ;  and,  let  me  tell 
you,  both  were  used  freely  there." 

William  G.  Miller  and  Joseph  0.  Joy,  the  latter 
chief  bugler  of  the  73d,  and  both  members  of  Company 
I,  unite  in  a  statement  of  the  same  general  tenor  as  that 
of  Remington.  In  answer  to  the  eighth  question  they 
specifically  state  that  "  Company  I  was  detailed  as  ad- 
vance guard  from  Columbia  to  Spring  Hill.  Captain 
Patten  was  the  officer  in  command."  The  statement 
concurred  in,  and  signed  by  two  comrades,  puts  the  73d 
in  the  very  forefront  of  the  army  on  the  movement 
from  Duck  River  to  Spring  Hill.  It  corroborates 
Sergeant  Bullard's  statement  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses. It  also  makes  the  73d  to  constitute  a  part  of 
the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  November  30,  1864,  from 
Spring  Hill  to  Franklin.  All  that  the  statement  con- 
tains touching  the  battle  of  Franklin  is  substantially 
embraced  in  more  than  one  of  the  other  statements 
hereinbefore  given. 

The  first  lieutenant  of  Company  I,  Adna  Phelps,  has 
prepared  a  paper  in  which  he  clearly  sets  forth  his 
recollections  of  the  campaign,  and  movement  from 
Columbia  to  Nashville.  We  give  it  entire: 

"  SPRINGFIELD,  ILL.,  May  16,  1889. 
WM.  H.  NEWLIN,  late  First  Lieutenant  73d  Illinois  Volunteers : 

"  DEAR  SIR, — Agreeably  to  your  request,  I  herein  give  my 
version  of  the  part  borne  by  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps,  and  more  especially  that  of  the  73d  Eegiment, 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  from  the  morning  of  the  29th  of 
November,  1864,  to  the  morning  of  December  1st,  of  which  regiment 
you  and  I  were  proud  of  the  fact  that  we  were  humble  members 
and  participants  in  its  glorious  achievements.  This  account  will 
deal  especially  with  the  part  taken  by  the  said  regiment  in  our 


SPRING  HILL.  451 

retreat  from  Columbia,  Tennessee,  and  the  actions  at  Spring  Hill 
and  Franklin,  and  of  which  history,  so  far  as  I  have  read,  has,  I 
think,  omitted  to  give  us  the  full  credit  we  are  entitled  to  for  the 
part  we  bore  in  the  battle  of  Franklin.  I  shall,  however,  have  to 
trust  to  memory,  and  I  do  not  think  it  will  fail  me  here,  as  the 
events  as  I  saw  them  are  so  indelibly  fixed  in  my  mind  as  to  seem 
to  have  transpired  but  a  few  months  since.  On  the  morning  of 
November  29,  1864,  our  army  started  to  fall  back  from  Columbia, 
Tennessee — at  which  point  we  had  been  maneuvering  for  several 
days — towards  Nashville,  Tennessee,  our  brigade  in  the  advance, 
with  the  73d  in  the  advance  of  the  brigade,  right  in  front. 

Soon  after  starting,  orders  came  to  detach  the  four  right  com- 
panies, A,  F,  D,  and  I,  to  push  on  with  all  possible  speed  to  Spring 
Hill,  and  take  such  position  on  the  roads  north  of  the  town  as  to 
stop  everything  from  going  back  farther  towards  Nashville.  In 
passing  through  the  town  I  observed  a  small  body  of  infantry, 
probably  an  outpost  drawn  in,  and  a  small  body  of  cavalrymen  on 
the  outskirts.  Our  guards  had  hardly  been  placed  in  their  posi- 
tions across  the  rail  and  wagon  roads,  when  a  force  of  rebel  cavalry 
commenced  skirmishing  with  ours.  The  firing  grew  hotter,  and 
from  our  point  of  view  we  could  see  them  making  a  charge  on  our 
small  force,  with  the  evident  intention  of  entering  the  town ;  and 
for  a  few  moments  felt  that  we  were  in  great  danger  of  being  cut 
off  from  the  rest  of  our  army,  and  probably  have  to  fight  for  dear 
life  to  escape  being  captured,  as  their  forces  seemed  to  be  in* 
creasing  in  numbers.  Soon  the  firing  became  so  heavy  that  we 
knew  it  was  not  merely  skirmish  firing,  but  that  a  battle  was  in 
progress,  and  that  the  rebels  were  giving  way.  A  few  moments 
later  our  adjutant  came  to  us  with  orders  to  join  our  regiment  on 
the  skirmish-line  near  the  road,  which  position  we  occupied  all 
night,  during  which  our  trains,  artillery,  and  the  main  army  passed 
along  towards  Franklin,  while  our  brigade  was  left  as  rear  guard, 
with  orders  to  move  at  daylight,  after  destroying  any  public 
property  that  might  be  left,  but  did  not  get  fully  formed  until  sun- 
rise. Our  brigade  was  formed  in  line  of  battle  stretching  across 
the  road,  and  out  on  each  side,  in  which  position  we  fell  back 
nearly  to  Franklin,  closely  followed  by  the  rebel  skirmishers,  who 
kept  popping  away  at  us  at  every  opportunity,  without  much,  if 
any,  effect  except  to  waste  ammunition.  Reaching  the  vicinity  of 
Franklin,  our  march  was  changed  to  a  march  in  column,  in  which 
we  reached  our  outer  skirmish-line,  when  our  order  of  march  was 


452  FEANKL1N. 

reversed,  and  we  marched  back  towards  the  rebels  and  were  drawn 
up  to  the  top  of  an  eminence,  where  we  could  distinctly  see  the 
rebels  forming  their  lines  of  battle  and  the  glistening  of  their  arms 
in  the  bright  sunlight,  as  they  came  from  a  right-shoulder  shift  to 
a  shoulder,  and  dressed  up  in  line. 

"  We  were,  however,  soon  withdrawn  and  entered  inside  our 
works  and  back  a  short  distance  to  the  rear,  where  the  73d  took 
a  position  behind  Carter's  Hill,  on  the  left  of  the  pike,  while  the 
rest  of  the  brigade  took  position  on  the  opposite  side  leading  north. 
Our  orders  were  to  prepare  our  dinners  and  be  in  readiness  to 
cross  the  river — not  then  knowing  that  the  ouly  river  some  of 
our  brave  boys  would  pass  Avould  be  the  river  of  death.  Not  all, 
perhaps,  had  partaken  of  their  coffee  and  hard-tack  before  a 
mighty  avalanche,  as  it  were,  broke  upon  our  outer  line  and  swept 
it  from  the  field ;  for  the  rebels,  without  any  preliminaries  or 
waiting  for  their  artillery,  were  confident  in  their  overwhelming 
numbers  and  the  weakness  of  our  unfinished  lines,  that  they  could 
overwhelm  us  in  a  single  charge  with  their  infantry,  as  indeed 
they  came  near  doing;  but  a  lion,  as  it  were,  in  the  shape  of 
Opdycke's  brigade — "Tigers,"  as  the  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th 
Army  Corps,  was  afterwards  dubbed — was  roused  from  his  lair, 
and  at  sight  of  the  confusion  and  demoralization  consequent 
upon  the  rebel  charge,  became  uncontrollable,  or  at  least  that  was 
the  case  with  the  73d.  The  men  saw  the  disaster  to  our  front 
line,  and,  rushing  for  their  arms,  called  upon  Major  Motherspaw, 
our  commander,  to  lead  them  in.  After  waiting  a  moment  for 
orders,  and  as  none  came,  he  gave  the  command,  '  Forward,  double 
quick,  MARCH  ;'  when  the  men  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  as  to 
which  should  be  first  at  the  breach.  That  was  the  last  order 
I  recollect  hearing,  as  it  was  each  man  for  himself  after  that,  and 
on  his  own  hook,  too.  Between  our  starting  point  and  the  works 
was  a  southern  fence,  built  of  cedar-stakes  driven  into  the  ground 
and  a  board  nailed  on  them  near  the  top.  While  making  pas- 
sages through  this  fence,  Captain  Jones,  of  Company  D,  was  struck 
by  a  ball  in  the  leg,  and  fell  by  my  side.  On  reaching  the  works 
we  found  the  rebels  in  part  possession,  and  had  to  drive  them 
back  with  the  bayonet  and  butts  of  the  rifles,  which  we  soon  accom- 
plished ;  and  the  artillerymen  who  had  left  upon  being  deserted 
by  their  supports,  returned  to  their  posts,  and  as  they  worked  and 
fell  at  their  pieces,  those  of  us  who  could,  helped  to  work  the 


GENERAL  THOMAS.  453 

gims   as  long  as   enough  were  left  to  charge  them.     I  think  the 
piece  nearest  me  lost  every  man  in  killed  and  wounded. 

"  Writers  and  historians  have  told  of  the  battle  in  general,  so 
I  will  turn  ray  attention  to  a  matter  of  interest  to  our  brigade,  and 
especially  to  the  73d  Illinois,  which  they,  so  far  as  I  know,  have 
failed  to  mention.  A  few  days  after  going  into  camp  at  Nashville 
I  received  orders,  as  acting  adjutant  (Adjutant  Wilmer  having 
been  killed)  of  the  regiment,  which  position  I  was  requested  to 
fill  by  Captain  W.  Burroughs,  commanding  regiment  (Major 
Motherspaw  having  been  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle),  to  mus- 
ter the  regiment  to  receive  General  George  H.  Thomas,  who 
would  visit  the  brigade  in  person  to  present  his  compliments.  The 
73d  was  in  camp  a  short  distance  from  the  other  regiments,  and 
was  formed  by  itself.  After  visiting  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  he 
came  to  our  regiment,  and  complimented  it  highly.  I  can  not,  per- 
haps, recollect  the  exact  words,  but  he  stated  that  from  what  he  had 
heard,  he  had  to  give  our  brigade,  and  more  especially  the  73d  Illi- 
nois, the  credit  of  the  victory  of  our  army  at  Franklin.  This  is 
something  I  have  wondered  has  not  been  mentioned,  and  have  left 
it  to  abler  pens  than  mine  to  chronicle  ;  but  as  they  have  not  done 
so,  it  is  perhaps  my  place  to  do  so,  as  I  mustered  the  regiment 
myself  to  receive  General  Thomas." 

In  some  way,  one  or  more  satements  we  received 
bearing  upon  these  same  points  were  misplaced,  lost, 
or  destroyed  before  being  incorporated  in  this  chapter, 
as  intended.  We  remember  particularly  the  statement 
of  Joseph  Cunningham,  of  Company  G,  but  we  think 
the  points  embraced  in  his  statement  are  covered,  per- 
haps, by  one  or  more  of  the  others. 

Joseph  Cunningham,  of  Company  G;  of  Conway, 
Laclede  County,  Missouri,  has  furnished  a  second  state- 
ment— first  having  been  lost — which  we  condense  some- 
what, as  follows  : 

"  As  we  fell  back  from  Duck  River,  the  73d  had  the  advance. 
Before  reaching  Spring  Hill  the  left  wing  of  the  regiment  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  advanced  beyond  the  town,  and  struck  a  small 
creek,  where  we  had  a  severe  skirmish.  The  right  wing  of  the 


454  F BAN  KLIN  CAMPAIGN. 

regiment  (except  Company  C,  which  was  with  the  left  wing)  was 
off  north  of  Spring  Hill  at  points  on  the  pike  and  railroad.  Two 
Company  G  comrades  were  wounded  in  the  skirmish — William  T. 
Purnell  and  James  F.  Tolle.  We  were  on  picket  during  the  night 
of  November  29th.  Next  morning  our  brigade  was  assigned  to 
do  duty  as  rear  guard,  part  on  the  skirmish-line  and  the  balance 
in  close  supporting  distance,  marching  in  line  of  battle,  over  hills, 
hollows,  creeks,  and  other  obstacles,  to  Franklin.  The  rebels 
crowded  the  skirmishers  pretty  closely,  and  we  had  to  help  hold 
the  rebels  back  several  times.  When  near  Franklin,  a  Company 
B  man  was  wounded  in  the  knapsack.  When  we  reached  Frank- 
lin we  were  placed  on  the  reserve  line,  and  told  we  could  get  din- 
ner, and  then  go  to  Nashville  on  the  cars.  Just  before  dinner 
was  ready,  Hood  attacked  our  works  and  took  them,  in  our 
front.  We  fell  in,  seized  our  guns,  charged  up,  and  retook  the 
works,  and  held  them  until  the  fight  ended.  Oiir  position  was 
just  to  the  right  of  the  pike  as  we  faced  southward.  There  was 
one  incident  happened  during  the  fight,  after  night,  I  would  like 
to  see  explained.  We  could  hear  men  forming  in  our  front,  and 
we  were  getting  ready  to  fire  on  them,  when  an  officer  came  along 
and  told  us  not  to  fire  on  them,  as  they  were  our  men,  etc.  This 
officer  was  a  large  man  with  long  whiskers.  About  the  same  time 
a  lot  of  rubbish  in  our  front  caught  fire,  the  light  showed  not  our 
men,  but  rebels.  I  tell  you,  we  made  them  '  get'  in  a  hurry,  now. 
Who  was  that  officer?"* 

All  the  foregoing  statements  are  fully  and  graphic- 
ally corroborated  in  their  leading  features  by  the  fol- 
lowing account  by  Captain  Patten : 

"THE  CAMPAIGN  OF  FRANKLIN.        . 

"In  all  histories  or  written  accounts  of  battles  we  find  one 
or  more  heroes;  and  almost  invariably  that  hero  is  a  com- 
manding general,  or  an  officer  high  in  command.  In  what  I 
may  say  in  regard  to  the  part  taken  by  the  73d  Illinois  In- 
fantry in  the  campaign  of  Franklin,  Tennessee,  I  shall  endeavor 
to  confine  myself  to  the  rank  and  file  as  to  what  was  done,  and 


*See  page  405  of  this  volume.  We  did  not  go  to  Nashville  on  the 
cars,  Joe ;  and  it  was  a  hastily  eaten  dinner,  or  supper,  we  partook  of, 
if  any  at  all.  The  officer  spoken  of  must  have  been  "General  Strata- 
gem." 


GEORGB  W.  PATTKN  was  born  of  sturdy  New  England  parents,  on  a  farm  in  Jeffer- 
son Co.  N.  Y.  May  8,  1836.  His  father  dying  when  George  was  ten  years  old ;  by 
close  application  and  persistant  effort  he  acquired  a  liberal  english  education  at  the 
public  school?  and  at  Lowville  Acade  ny,  Lowville,  N.  Y.  In  1854  he  engaged  in 
teaching,  in  1857  he  removed  to  Illinois  where  he  continued  teaching  and  farming 
till  1862  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  B,  73d  Ills  Inf.  At  the  organization  of  the 
Company  at  Camp  Butler,  he  was  made  first  Sergt.  in  Dec.  following  was  promoted 
to  first  Lieut.  For  conspi'-ious  service  at  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge  was  promoted 
to  Captain  of  Co.  I,  and  for  gallant  and  meritorious  service  at  the  Battles  of 
Franklin  and  Nashville,  by  request  of  Gen.  Opdycke  \vas  Breveted  Major  U.  S.  A- 
He  was  in  every  Battle  and  Skirmish  in  which  the  regiment  took  part  during  its 
term  of  service ;  was  wounded  in  the  left  arm  at  Chickamauga,  and  had  a  horse 
killed  under  him  while  in  Command  of  the  Brigade  Skirmish  line  at  the  Battle  of 
Nashville.  He  married  Miss  Lottie  J.  Holmes  in  1866,  and  from  this  happy  union 
they  have  three  sons  and  one  daughter  all  livmg,  and  residing  at  Chattanooga",  Tenn 


CAPTAIN  PATTEN'S  PAPER.  455 

perhaps  to  those  holding  commands  over  them  as  to  what  they 
did  not  do.  Shall  also  try  to  note  what  seemed  to  me,  at  the 
time,  mistakes  of  the  enemy.  I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood 
as  desiring  in  any  way  to  reflect  upon  the  ability,  valor,  or  per- 
sonal bravery  of  a  single  officer  holding  command  in  the  Union 
army  that  was  engaged  in  that  campaign.  A  person  who  should 
at  this  day  attempt  such  a  thing  would  deservedly  subject  him- 
self to  the  ridicule  and  just  condemnation  of  loyal  citizens.  No, 
I  have  too  high  a  veneration  for  the  memory  of  the  immortal 
Thomas,  the  gallant  Stanley,  the  heroic  Wagner,  and  the  daunt- 
less Opdycke,  as  well  as  the  men  who  defeated  Hood  at  Frank- 
lin, and  thereby  made  it  possible  to  accomplish  at  Nashville 
what  is  hardly  recorded  elsewhere  in  the  history  of  warfare;  viz., 
the  utter  annihilation  of  one  army  by  another  in  an  open  field, 
when  the  two  armies  were  very  nearly  evenly  matched  as  to 
numbers.  This  is  what  Thomas's  army  did  for  Hood's  at  Nashville. 

"In  the  fall  of  1864,  General  Schofield,  with  the  23d  Army 
Corps  and  a  portion  of  the  4th  Army  Corps,  was  on  the  north 
side  of  Duck  River,  at  Columbia,  Tennessee.  Hood  was  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  attempting  to  cross.  On  the  morning  of 
November  29th  it  became  evident  that  Hood  had  affected  a 
crossing  to  our  left,  and  by  forced  march  was  endeavoring  to 
reach  our  rear  and  place  himself  between  us  and  our  base  of  sup- 
plies— Nashville. 

"The  73d  was  on  picket  duty  on  the  night  of  November 
28th.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th  the  brigade  was  commanded 
to  march  at  an  early  hour.  The  order  of  march  was  the  73d 
in  advance,  right  in  front.  After  reaching  the  pike  leading 
north  towards  Spring  Hill,  Captain  Patten,  of  Company  I,  as 
the  ranking  officer,  received  orders  to  take  the  four  right  com- 
panies (A,  F,  D,  and  I)  and  proceed  northward  as  an  advance 
guard,  with  no  instructions  wJiatever  as  to  the  enemy.  The  only 
orders  Captain  Patten  received  were  verbally  given  by  Captain 
Lakin,  assistant  acting  adjutant-general  of  brigade,  and  were  to 
'  allow  no  stragglers  to  pass  us  going  north.'  Captain  Lakin  also  said : 
'  Move  on  rapidly  until  you  get  in  the  neighborhood  of  one-fourth 
of  a  mile  in  advance  of  us,  when  you  will  take  what  would  be  a 
good  marching  gait  for  a  column  to  move  at.'  These  instructions 
were  carried  out. 

"  When  about  four  or  five  miles  on  the  march  the  officer  in 
command  of  this  advance  guard  fell  in  with  a  small  boy  living  in 


456  SPRING  HILL  AGAIN. 

the  neighborhood,  who,  after  having  been  twitted  of  being  a 
rebel — Yanks  in  those  days  were  in  the  habit  of  poking  fun  at 
such  boys — replied :  '  Yes,  I  am  a  rebel,  and  you  all  will  soon  find 
more  rebels  than  you  will  like  to  see.'  In  the  course  of  the  con- 
versation it  came  out  that  there  had  been  a  squad  of  rebel  cavalry 
to  our  right  in  close  proximity  to  the  road  along  which  we  were 
marching.  A  squad  of  men,  under  Sergeant  Bullard,  was  then  ad- 
vanced some  two  or  three  hundred  yards,  and  word  sent  to  Colonel 
Opdycke.  An  orderly  soon  returned  from  Colonel  Opdycke  to  give 
protection  to  an  ambulance  train  that  we  would  find  near  Spring 
Hill,  putting  wounded  soldiers  and  hospital  stores  on  a  railroad 
train.  Upon  arriving  at  Spring  Hill,  a  portion  of  the  guard  moved 
directly  through  the  town  to  a  rise  of  ground  just  in  the  northern 
outskirts.  A  sort  of  rail  barricade  was  there  constructed,  and  here 
this  portion  of  the  guard  awaited  the  return  of  the  balance  of  the 
command,  whom  Captain  Patten  had  taken  to  the  west  of  town 
to  ascertain  if  the  ambulance  train  needed  assistance.  From  these 
ambulance  men  it  was  learned  that  quite  a  force  of  rebel  cavalry 
had  been  seen  about  one-half  mile  north  of  town  within  the  last 
half  hour.  The  force  then  with  Patten  was  moved  in  a  skirmish- 
line  in  what  seemed  to  be  a  north-easterly  direction  across  some  open 
fields.  The  movement  was  so  directed  as  to  have  the  right  of  the 
line  join  the  left  of  Companies  A  and  F,  who  were  already  in  line 
across  the  pike  north  of  town.  As  the  line  neared  the  pike  a 
squad  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  was  found  dismounted  and  protected 
toward  the  south  by  a  rail  barricade  extending  across  the  pike. 
Our  coming  in  on  their  right  flank  seemed  to  demoralize  them, 
and,  after  the  exchange  of  a  few  shots,  they  hastily  withdrew  to 
the  east  of  the  pike,  and  made  no  further  effort  to  occupy  the 
road  north  of  town  that  night.  Companies  D  and  I  occupied 
the  enemy's  rail  barricade  until  after  dark,  when  a  force  of  the 
23d  Corps  arrived,  cleared  the  barricade  which  had  been  con- 
structed by  Companies  A  and  F,  and  also  the  one  taken  from  the 
rebel  cavalry,  and  the  movement  towards  Franklin  was  resumed. 
Meanwhile  Companies  D  and  I  were  moved  by  the  right  flank  in 
skirmish-line  until  the  left  rested  on  the  pike,  facing  north.  In 
this  position  they  remained  all  night.  Every  man  on  duty,  with  no 
relief.  There  was  a  short  space  between  the  line  thus  formed  and 
the  left  of  the  regiment  when  it  came  in  as  flankers  to  the  main 
column  and  took  its  position  under  orders  from  Colonel  Opdycke. 
"  The  73d,  after  leaving  Columbia,  marched  at  the  head  of  the 


CRITICAL  SITUATION.  457 

column  until  General  Wagner  received  word  from  the  advance 
guard  that  the  enemy  was  reported  near  the  road  in  advance.  The 
73d  was  then  thrown  out  as  flankers  to  the  east  of  the  pike,  and 
marched  in  that  position  to  Spring  Hill.  When  General  Wagner 
received  the  word  that  the  advance  guard  had  encountered  the 
enemy  north  of  Spring  Hill,  he  ordered  the  main  column  up  on 
double-quick,  and  advanced  the  73d  to  the  east  as  skirmishers  until 
they  were  nearly  or  quite  one-half  mile  east  of  the  pike,  then  sent 
them  by  the  left  flank  as  flankers,  and  thus  they  gained  their  posi- 
tion at  Spring  Hill  shortly  before  dark.  Finding  their  left  exposed, 
it  was  thrown  back  or  refused  somewhat,  and  lay  in  this  position 
during  the  night  and  until  near  sunrise  of  November  30th.  It  will 
be  observed  that  at  this  time  the  regiment  had  been  continuously 
on  duty  for  forty-eight  hours,  having  gone  on  picket  duty  at  Colum- 
bia on  the  morning  of  the  28th. 

"During  the  night  at  Spring  Hill  no  fires  could  be  lighted, 
owing  to  the  close  proximity  of  the  enemy.  On  the  right,  shots 
were  occasionally  exchanged  during  the  night.  At  places  on  the 
line  we  were  so  near  the  enemy  that  the  ordinary  conversation  of 
the  camp  could  be  readily  overheard.  To  say  that  night  was  one 
of  terrible  suspense  would  indeed  be  putting  it  mildly.  There,  in 
full  view,  was  the  whole  of  Hood's  army — the  army  that  had  for 
one  hundred  days  withstood  the  combined  skill  of  Sherman, 
Thomas,  McPherson,  Hooker,  and  a  host  of  other  master  military 
minds,  backed  by  the  Armies  of  the  Cumberland,  Tennessee,  and 
Ohio,  massed  and  ready  to  fall  upon  us.  And  what  were  we? 
How  were  we  prepared  to  meet  such  an  attack  as  the  enemy  was 
ready  to  make  ?  Let  us  see ;  as  the  73d  filed  into  position  it  had 
no  reserve  or  support.  As  the  line  extended  south  it  was  sup- 
posed the  danger  increased;  therefore  it  was  strengthened,  first  to 
a  single  battle-line ;  then  as  it  extended  south  and  west  to  near  the 
pike — perhaps  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  town — it  became  a  double 
battle-line,  with  the  customary  supports.  But  there  were  only  the 
troops  of  the  4th  Corps  in  line  at  any  time,  and  they  only  so  long 
as  the  23d  Corps  was  passing  through,  which  they  did  without  a 
halt.  As  soon  as^the  right  of  the  4th  Corps  had  arrived  and  taken 
its  position  in  line,  the  23d  Corps  began  to  arrive  from  Columbia, 
and  passed  on  through  Spring  Hill  toward  Franklin,  scarcely 
halting. 

Now  note  the  situation.  The  4th  Corps  formed  in  a  sort  of 
semicircle  on  the  east  side  of  the  pike,  with  the  little  town  of 


458  WE  QOT  AWAY. 

Spring  Hill  in  the  rear  of  about  the  center.  The  trains  of  the 
corps  had  been  coming  in,  accompanied  by  thousands  of  refugees, 
both  white  and  black.  Some  came  in  fine  family  carriages,  others 
in  wagons  and  carts  and  every  conceivable  kind  of  vehicle,  while 
still  others  walked  and  carried  all  their  earthly  possessions.  These 
were  with  our  immense  train  of  commissary  and  quartermaster 
stores,  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  and  artillery.  This  conglom- 
eration was  all  inside  the  semicircle  already  described.  What  the 
result  would  have  been  had  Hood  at  this  time  attacked  us,  can 
only  be  surmised.  That  he  did  not,  was  one  of  the  unfortunate 
blunders  of  his  life,  and  one  of  the  most  fortunate  things  in  the 
history  of  the  4th  Corps.  As  soon  as  the  rear  of  the  23d  Corps 
had  passed,  this  immense  conglomeration,  known  as  an  army-train, 
commenced  to  move  out  toward  Franklin ;  and  as  soon  as  the  train 
had  all  moved  out,  the  troops  were  cautiously  withdrawn,  beginning 
at  the  extreme  right,  or  south  of  the  line,  and  by  daylight,  on  the 
morning  of  the  30th,  all  had  moved  out  except  the  1st  Brigade  of 
the  2d  Division,  designated  as  rear  guard. 

tl  The  order  of  march  to  Franklin  was  for  two  regiments  to  form 
in  battle-line  opposite  each  other  on  the  pike,  with  the  right  of  one 
regiment  resting  on  the  pike,  and  joining  the  left  of  the  other  regi- 
ment, facing  south.  The  other  four  regiments  of  the  brigade  formed 
in  the  same  manner,  except  that  the  second  two  formed  several 
rods  to  the  rear  of  the  first  two,  while  the  third  two  were  several 
rods  to  the  rear  of  the  second  two — all  facing  south. 

"  When  everything  had  left  Spring  Hill,  the  1st  Brigade 
formed  in  the  above  described  manner,  and  awaited  orders.  A 
more  successful  withdrawal  of  troops  in  the  face  of  an  enemy  can 
hardly  be  conceived.  There  was  not  a  man,  a  mule,  or  a  dollar's 
worth  of  property  left  behind.  When  the  73d  formed  in  line  of 
battle  north  of  Spring  Hill,  November  30th,  facing  south,  she 
looked  upon  a  town  that  was  about  as  completely  stripped  as  it  was 
ever  its  fortune  or  misfortune  to  see.  When  the  marching  order 
came,  the  73d,  with  its  accompanying  regiment,  was  "  about  faced," 
inarched  through  the  ranks  and  a  few  rods  to  the  rear  of  the  third 
line  of  battle,  halted,  faced  to  the  south,  and  there  waited  until  the 
other  two  lines  had  been  withdrawn  in  the  same  manner.  This 
movement  was  repeated  until  within  two  or  three  miles  of  Frank- 
lin. Nearly  every  time  the  73d  was  in  the  rear  line  it  had  a  little 
brush  with  the  enemy's  cavalry.  Several  times  during  the  day  the 
firing  became  quite  brisk. 


V 

ARRIVE  AT  FRANKLIN.  459 

"About  two  miles  out  from  Franklin  the  brigade  was  halted 
on  an  eminence  overlooking  the  town  of  Franklin,  which  was  then 
a  straggling  town  of  perhaps  five  to  eight  hundred  inhabitants. 
It  is  situated  in  a  sharp  bend  of  the  Harpeth  River.  Just  around 
the  suburbs  of  the  town,  with  the  left  resting  on  the  river  above 
and  the  right  on  the  river  below,  the  23d  Corps  had  hastily  con- 
structed a  line  of  breastworks  facing  south.  These  temporary 
works  had  been  thrown  up  so  that  a  few  troops  might  be  sufficient 
to  protect  the  two  bridges  while  the  immense  train  was  slowly  pass- 
ing over  them.  Everything  going  towards  Nashville  had  to  cross 
on  these  two  frail  bridges,  one  of  which  was  a  pontoon ;  hence  the 
importance  of  protecting  them.  Should  Hood  succeed  in  cutting 
these  bridges,  all  left  south  of  the  Harpeth  was  lost  to  the  Federal 
cause.  Hood  realized  this  readily. 

"  After  remaining  on  and  about  the  hills  south  of  town  for  an  hour 
or  two,  the  1st  Brigade  moved  along  the  pike  into  town.  The  73d  filed 
to  the  left  of  the  pike,  and  stacked  arms  about  one  hundred  yards 
to  rear  and  north  of  the  breastworks,  just  north  of  the  Carter  house 
and  outbuildings,  gardens,  yards,  etc.  The  regiment  faced  to  the 
north  or  rear.  This  shows  that  no  orders  were  received  as  to 
position,  or  that  those  who  gave  the  orders  had  no  expectation  of 
an  attack.  This  position  was  reached  about  3  P.  M.,  and  permis- 
sion given  to  '  cook  coffee.'  This  was  the  first  opportunity  of  the 
kind  offered  since  going  on  picket  at  Columbia  on  the  morning  of 
the  23th.  Very  few  had  any  coffee  to  cook,  as  the  time  had  already 
arrived  when  rations  should  have  been  issued.  As  was  the  custom 
with  soldiers  when  tired  and  hungry,  they  went  through  the 
motions  even  if  they  had  no  coffee.  Very  soon  little  smokes  were 
seen  rising  here  and  there  in  rear  (south)  of  the  stacks  of  guns. 
Some  had  got  their  coffee  to  boil,  while  others  who  had  no  coffee 
had  put  in  the  time  calling  the  commissary  sergeant  (Hoskinson) 
pet  names,  with  very  emphatic  adjectives,  and  discussing  the 
situation. 

"  There  has  arisen  a  great  amount  of  discussion  as  to  who  was  in 
command  of  the  field  at  Franklin  at  this  time,  and  who  it  was 
that  assigned  the  troops  to  their  positions  in  line  and  in  reserve. 
General  Cox  seems  to  have  conceived  the  idea  that  he  was  the 
officer  in  charge  of  the  'battle-line.'  General  Stanley  construes 
General  Cox's  authority  as  that  of  an  ' orderly  or  aid'  to  General 
Schofield,  with  instructions  to  guide  the  incoming  troops,  or  assist 
them  in  finding  the  particular  positions  assigned  them  in  the  line. 


460  PERTINENT  QUESTIONS. 

One  thing  seems  evident  from  all  information  obtainable,  that 
neither  Schofield  nor  any  of  his  immediate  associates  realized  the 
possibility  of  such  an  attack  as  Hood  very  soon  made  a  most  ter- 
rible reality.  It  would  seem  to  a  disinterested  person  who  should 
study  the  situation  that  the  officer  who  had  the  least  to  do  with  it 
deserved  the  most  credit ;  for  surely,  with  the  exception  of  locating 
the  main  line  of  works,  it  was  the  most  complete  failure  on  the 
part  of  commanding  officers  the  73d  ever  witnessed  during  its 
three  years'  service.  In  the  first  place,  General  Cox  claims  to 
have  been  in  command,  and  had  the  assigning  to  position  the 
troops  as  they  came  in.  If  this  is  so,  does  General  Cox  want  to 
assume  the  responsibility  of  the  disaster  attending  the  posting  of 
the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  Wagner's  division  in  an  open  field, 
some  three  or  four  hundred  yards  in  front  of  the  center  of  the 
main  line  of  works,  with  both  flanks  exposed,  and  no  possible 
chance  of  saving  themselves  when  attacked  with  such  fury  as  they 
were  shortly  to  be?  To  say  that  these  brigades  disobeyed  orders, 
and  stayed  out  too  long,  will  not  excuse  the  blunder.  If  these 
brigades  had  fallen  back  at  the  first  uncovering  of  the  enemy,  the 
result  could  have  been  but  little  different.  They  were  too  far  in 
advance  of  the  main  battle-line,  and  the  onslaught  of  the  enemy 
was  so  fierce  and  rapid  that  confusion  and  disaster  must  have  re- 
sulted from  an  attempt  to  withdraw  two  brigades  under  such  a 
fire  for  eighty  rods,  and  in  the  face  of  such  a  multitude  as  was 
thrown  against  them.  Then,  again,  if  General  Cox  assigned  the 
troops  to  their  positions  in  line,  why  did  he  place  troops  at  the 
critical  point  on  the  line  who  did  not  know  from  experience  the 
value  of  breastworks,  and  that  the  safest  place  on  such  a  field  ivas 
close  behind  the  works?  There  were  troops  of  that  kind  on  the 
field,  and  eventually  they  had  to  go  there,  or  General  Cox  and  all 
his  'field  orders'  would  have  gone  for  naught. 

"There  were  hundreds  of  men  in  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of 
Wagner's  Division  that  could  have,  and  would,  had  the  oppor- 
tunity presented,  have  told  General  Cox  or  any  other  officer 
issuing  such  an  order  that  their  position  was  too  far  in  advance. 
The  troops  in  the  main  line  of  works  could  observe  the  movements 
of  the  enemy  just  as  easily  as  those  of  the  brigades  out  in  front, 
as  the  field  was  perfectly  clear.  Does  General  Cox  want  to  take 
the  responsibility  for  what  happened  to  these  men  ?  or  can  it  be 
possible  that  he  had  fears  as  to  the  sticking  qualities  of  his  com- 
mand, and  therefore  saw  fit  to  sacrifice  those  two  brigades,  that  the 


MA  JO  R  MO  T HERS  PA  W  'S  ORD  ERS  ONL  Y.  461 

shock  of  the  charge  might  be  broken  before  it  reached  his  men? 
If  the  2d  and  3d  Brigades  of  Wagner's  division  did  not  rally  in 
the  works  after  their  retreat  from  the  outpost  (as  General  Cox  as- 
serts), how  does  it  occur  that  seventy-five  per  cent  of  their  losses 
occurred  inside  the  main  line  of  works?  They  did  rally,  and  were 
one  of  the  main  features  of  the  impenetrable  bulwark  that  with- 
stood the  repeated  onslaughts  of  Hood's  concentrated  masses. 

"Then,  again,  does  General  Cox  want  to  assume  the  responsibility 
of  having  '  ordered '  the  1st  Brigade  of  Wagner's  division  into  posi- 
tion, faced  to  the  rear?  The  facts  in  the  case  are  that  those  in  im- 
mediate command  did  not  realize  the  situation  as  fully  as  did  many 
of  the  men  who  had  been  on  the  picket  and  skirmish  line  during 
the  last  three  days.  For  this  reason  few  orders  were  given,  and  but 
little  attention  given  to  see  that  these  were  obeyed.  Stanley  and 
Schofield  were  across  the  river ;  so  were  Wagner  and  Cox,  for  all 
the  73d  knew.  We  received  no  orders.  It  has  been  said  that 
Stanley  ordered  Opdycke  to  move  his  men  forward — backward — 
to  the  works.  It  has  also  been  said  that  General  Cox  rode  up  to 
Opdycke  on  the  pike  and  ordered  him  to  take  his  brigade  into  the 
breach  at  the  Carter  house,  and  that  Opdycke  then  moved  his 
brigade  to  the  works,  and  recaptured  them.  We  are  not  speaking 
for  other  regiments  of  the  brigade,  or  for  other  brigades;  but  one 
thing  is  certain,  the  73d  Illinois  got  no  orders  after  stacking  arms 
in  the  rear  of  the  Carter  house  on  the  afternoon  of  November 
30th  until  the  order  came  to  evacuate  the  works  about  10.30  or 
11  P.  M. 

"The  regiment  was  startled  from  its  coffee  and  cursing  by  a 
vigorous  charge  of  the  enemy  on  our  center  and  rear.  Without 
one  command,  and  but  very  little  excitement — by  mutual  consent, 
and  almost  as  one  man — the  regiment  went  to  their  guns,  took 
them  out  of  the  stacks,  and  faced  front.  Here  they  seemed  to 
stop  and  consider  a  moment,  and  for  a  moment  only.  During 
that  pause  every  man  seemed  to  have  taken  in  the  whole  situation. 
Men  who  had  carried  axes,  spades,  and  picks,  in  addition  to  their 
other  accouterments,  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  had  learned 
to  use  them  so  effectually,  had  not  failed  to  fully  understand  the 
value  of  a  good  line  of  breastworks  in  an  emergency  like  the  one 
now  upon  them.  In  their  present  position  they  were  exposed  to 
the  enemy's  fire,  and  the  balls  were  even  now  falling  in  goodly 
numbers.  To  go  to  the  rear  was  only  folly,  and  would  result  in 
drowning  or  capture.  In  our  front,  between  us  and  the  works, 


462  THE  BALL  OPENS. 

were  two  paling  fences,  the  most  formidable  of  which  was  heavy 
oak-paling  nailed  to  heavy  oak  stringers  with  large  nails,  and  on 
the  side  on  which  we  must  approach.*-  Beyond  this  was  what 
every  man  in  the  regiment  knew  was  the  safest  place  on  that 
field — the  breastworks.  Without  hesitating  one  moment,  and,  as 
I  believe,  every  man  in  the  regiment,  with  a  yell  and  a  bound 
they  went  for  the  works.  By  the  time  they  reached  the  oak- 
paling  fence  the  balls  of  the  enemy  were  striking  very  fast,  and 
reminded  one  of  a  boy  rattling  a  stick  on  a  picket-fence  as  he  runs 
along  it.  The  getting  over  or  through  that  fence  in  the  face  of 
that  fire  was  one  of  the  most,  if  not  the  most,  terrible  experiences 
the  73d  Regiment  ever  had.  They  were  seemingly  powerless. 
It  was  too  high  to  climb  over ;  the  palings  were  so  thick  they 
could  not  be  broken  with  the  butt  of  the  gun  or  the  foot  in  kick- 
ing, and  the  nails  were  so  large  and  so  firmly  fixed  in  the  heavy  oak 
bars  that  it  seemed  impossible  to  get  through.  After  what  seemed 
an  age,  a  breach  was  made. 

"  Description  or  imagination  is  hardly  equal  to  the  task  of 
picturing  the  scene  at  this  time.  The  men  from  the  2d  and  3d 
Brigades  had  reached  the  works  in  their  retreat,  and  were  coming 
over  like  sheep,  while  here  and  there  were  '  Johnnies '  mixed 
among  them,  and  they  were  fighting  and  shouting  as  they  ran. 
The  men  in  the  works  had  become  panic-stricken,  and  were  leaving 
their  places  in  hot  haste.  The  artillery  men  and  horses  had  be- 
come overpowered  by  the  grand  rush  to  the  rear.  This,  added 
to  the  shouts,  yells,  and  wails  of  the  fleeing  and  wounded,  and  the 
mild  (?)  epithets  that  were  applied  to  them  by  the  73d  boys  as  they 
crowded  and  bayoneted  their  way  to  the  front,  and  the  thick-flying 
shot  and  bursting  shell  of  friend  and  foe,  was  beyond  descrip- 
tion. The  contending  elements  of  hell  turned  loose  would  seem 
almost  as  a  Methodist  love-feast  compared  to  the  pandemonium 
that  reigned  there  for  the  space  of  ten  or  twenty  minutes.  The 
scenes  that  were  witnessed  during  that  short  space  of  time  were 
so  indelibly  stamped  upon  the  minds  of  the  participants  that 
even  a  long  life  spent  in  peaceful  pursuits  will  not  suffice  to 
erase  or  even  dim  them.  When  the  wild  mob  and  confusion  had 
passed,  it  took  the  73d  but  a  twinkling  to  bayonet  or  club 
such  rebels  as  had  gained  the  inside  of  the  works  and  refused  to 
surrender. 

"We  were  very  soon  firmly  established  inside  the  works,  and 
we  were  there  to  stay.  If  there  was  a  man  in  the  charging  column 


CA  P1AIN  PA  TTEN  'S  PAPER.  463 

that  went  to  those  works  with  any  intention  of  ever  leaving  while 
the  battle  lasted,  he  has  kept  it  to  himself.  At  this  time  in  the 
war  every  man  in  the  73d  had  become  an  accomplished  soldier. 
Each  one  in  his  way  was  a  philosopher,  and  had  taken  in  the 
situation  from  the  start,  and  had  made  his  arrangements  accord- 
ingly. He  knew  that  battle  had  to  be  won,  or  every  man  in  the 
command  would  suffer,  and  each  one  went  into  the  fight  with  the 
distinct  understanding  that  he  was  going  to  stay  and  win.  Did 
they  do  it  ? 

"  Before  the  regiment  had  reached  the  works  they  had  cap- 
tured and  sent  to  the  rear  several  prisoners,  two  of  whom  were 
color-bearers.  They  also  recaptured  the  colors  of  one  of  the  regi- 
ments that  had  been  driven  from  the  works.  By  the  time  they 
reached  the  works  the  enemy  was  coming  over  in  large  numbers, 
and  as  we  were  in  such  close  quarters  any  who  refused  to  sur- 
render had  to  be  persuaded  from  the  error  of  their  way  by  an  ap- 
plication of  the  bayonet  or  clubbed  musket — both  of  which  were 
freely  used.  When  the  first  charging  column  had  been  thus  dis- 
posed of,  a  short  breathing  spell  was  taken  advantage  of  to  load 
guns,  throw  some  of  the  dead  and  wounded  out  of  the  way,  and 
prepare  for  the  next  onslaught.  This  came  quickly,  but  the 
enemy  succeeded  only  in  reaching  the  top  of  our  works  again,  and 
were  forced  to  surrender  or  fare  worse.  Many  crouched  down 
close  under  the  works  on  the  outside,  and  were  brought  in  through 
the  gap  in  the  works  at  the  pike  later  on.  Some  five  or  six  dis- 
tinct charges  were  made  at  the  point  in  the  works  where  the  73d 
lay  after  it  gained  its  position,  but  each  time  the  charge  seemed 
less  furious,  and  by  eight  or  nine  o'clock  the  boys  commenced 
shouting  over  to  them  to  come  on  if  they  wanted  any  more  of 
the  same  sort. 

"The  incidents  of  personal  courage  and  brave  daring  of  the 
men  of  the  73d  on  that  occasion  could  not  be  written  in  a  life- 
time. As  I  have  intimated  before,  every  man  was  his  own  com- 
mander, and  he  was  a  major-general  at  that.  I  can  not  let  this 
opportunity  pass  without  saying  that  I  believe  there  should  have 
been  at  least  one  hundred  men  of  the  73d  Regiment  given  promo- 
tion for  their  personal  daring  and  cool  courage  on  that  terrible  field. 
At  that  time  it  would  only  have  required  the  asking  of  the  com- 
manding officer  to  have  secured  this ;  but  the  73d,  with  its  hun- 
dreds of  cases  of  the  most  heroic  bravery,  went  out  of  the  service 
with  a  brevet  commission  bestowed  upon  only  one  of  its  members, 


464  ADJUTANT  WILMER  KILLED. 

and  that  came  through  the  recommendation  of  the  brave  and  gal- 
lant Opdycke. 

•'  After  arriving  at  the  works,  the  73d  arranged  itself  for  work 
without  orders  from  anybody.  Immediately  in  its  rear  were 
found  two  pieces  of  artillery,  from  which  the  men  had  been  car- 
ried away  in  the  stampede.  An  artilleryman  was  found  who  could 
load  the  pieces,  and  men  volunteered  to  assist,  and  soon  the  can- 
non were  being  worked  as  rapidly  as  possible.  The  ammunition 
was  found  some  yards  to  the  left  and  rear.  In  bringing  this  to 
the  guns  a  very  exposed  position  had  to  be  passed,  but  men  were 
ready  to  dare  anything  to  win  this  fight.  About  forty-five  rounds 
for  each  piece  of  artillery  were  brought  by  one  man,  and  all  used 
in  the  course  of  the  fight.  Noble,  brave,  quiet  Adjutant  Wilmer 
put  his  whole  soul  into  the  working  of  those  guns,  and  while  look- 
ing through  a  space  between  the  logs  to  ascertain  the  exact  posi- 
tion at  which  to  aim  the  cannon,  he  was  shot  in  the  neck  and 
instantly  killed.  The  73d  lost  no  nobler  or  braver  man  than  Wil- 
mer, but  it  would  be  impossible  to  do  justice  to  individual  cases  of 
heroism. 

"  At  the  battle  of  Franklin  every  man  in  the  73d  was  a  hero. 
The  weeding  and  sifting  process  had  long  since  ceased,  and  every 
man  left  was  a  soldier  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  word,  and  every  one 
of  their  names  should  be  emblazoned  on  tablets  of  gold,  and  placed 
where  all  might  read.  These  are  the  men  who  saved  the  day  at 
Franklin.  The  killed  and  fatally  wounded,  as  reported  at  the 
time,  were:  Major  Motherspaw,  commanding  regiment;  Adjutant 
Wm.  R.  Wilmer ;  First  Sergeant  Dick  Scott,  of  Company  B ;  Gil 
Harbison,  of  Company  B;  Jos.  A.  Allison,  of  Company  C;  J.  D. 
Branch,  of  Company  D;  S.  Orwig,  of  Company  G;  Tom  Biddle, 
of  Company  H.  The  full  list  of  wounded  is  not  accessible,  but  the 
following  were  among  the  wounded :  Captain  Jones,  of  D ; 
Lieutenant  Kiser,  of  A;  Joe  Regan,  and  Stewart  Hoskinson. 

"Among  the  killed  at  Franklin  was  a  strange  and  noble  char- 
acter in  the  person  of  Gil  Harbison,  of  Company  B.  His  home 
was  in  Delavan,  Illinois,  where  he  had  been  raised  on  a  farm.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  was  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  taking  a 
course  at  some  theological  school.  One  day,  while  on  the  street, 
he  saw  some  of  his  Illinois  acquaintances  marching  past  in  the  73d. 
He  fell  in  with  them,  and  marched  on  until  the  battle  of  Franklin. 
Although  a  strict  Baptist  and  a  consistent  Christian,  he  chose 
reckless  Joe  Isenburg  as  his  'pard.'  At  Kenesaw  Mountain  Joe 


GILBERT  HARBISON.  465 

was  treacherously  shot  while  carrying  water  on  the  picket-line — a 
duty  which,  by  mutual  consent  of  both  pickets,  had  been  per- 
formed unmolested.  Gil  Harbison  then  and  there,  on  his  bended 
knees,  over  his  wounded  partner — who  soon  died — swore  by  the  high- 
est authority  he  called  upon  that  he  would  be  avenged.  He  sent  for 
a  Henry  rifle,  and  from  that  time  forward  Gil  Harbison  could,  at 
night  or  day,  be  found  as  often  as  elsewhere  on  or  beyond  the 
picket-line.  During  the  night  at  Spring  Hill  he  seemed  to  be  in 
his  glory,  and  during  the  short  rest  in  the  rear  of  the  lines  at 
Franklin  he  remarked  to  a  comrade  that  he  was  abundantly  satis- 
fied with  the  way  the  account  of  Joe  Isenburg  stood.  Very  soon 
after  this  he  was  shot  in  the  head  and  immediately  killed. 

"As  the  night  advanced,  and  the  charges  made  by  the  enemy 
increased  in  number,  they  decreased  in  fury.  By  ten  o'clock  it 
would  seem  to  a  close  observer  from  our  lines  that  it  was  hardly 
possible  for  the  officers  to  rally  the  men  to  make  even  a  semblance 
of  an  assault.  When  they  did  make  a  move  in  our  direction,  they 
were  met  with  such  a  galling  fire  that  they  soon  returned,  and  by 
10.30  all  was  quiet  in  our  front,  except  the  wails  and  moans  of 
the  dying,  the  number  of  which  has  never  yet  been  told.  An 
idea  of  the  terrible  slaughter  may  be  obtained,  however,  from  the 
fact  that  every  general  officer  in  Hood's  army  was  either  killed  or 
wounded  except  one.  In  the  desperation  of  the  rebel  commanders 
they  rode  at  the  head  of  the  charging  columns  right  up  to  our 
works.  One  major-general  and  his  horse  fell  inside  the  lines  of  the 
73d,  both  horse  and  rider  dead.  These  men  certainly  showed 
bravery  worthy  of  a  better  cause. 

"  At  about  eleven  o'clock  our  lines  were  ordered  to  be  quietly 
withdrawn.  The  dead  were  left  where  they  fell,  and  the  wounded, 
with  some  exceptions,  brought  away.  Our  trains  had  all  crossed  the 
river,  and  we  were  soon  once  more  in  line  of  march  for  Nashville. 
Weary,  hungry,  and  sleepy,  less  loyal  or  resolute  men  would  have 
given  up  in  despair.  Not  so  with  these  men;  they  lost  sight  of 
self  in  their  in  tense  loyalty  to  the  cause  they  were  fighting  for. 
Reeling,  staggering,  stumbling,  still  plodding  on  in  a  semi-con- 
scious state,  now  and  then  being  aroused  somewhat  by  coming  in 
contact  with  some  obstacle,  the  column  drags  on  through  those  long 
weary  hours  of  the  night  of  November  30th  and  the  morning  of 
December  1st,  until  finally,  at  about  11.30,  they  pass  inside  the 
defenses  around  Nashville.  It  is  then  that  these  men  with  loyal 
hearts  as  big  as  bushel  baskets,  with  wills  made  of  the  firmest  cast- 

30 


466  OPD YOKE'S  TESTIMONY. 

iron,  and  muscles  and  sinews  of  the  finest  tempered  steel,  at  last 
have  to  surrender  at  the  command  of  nature.  She  will  no  longer 
be  denied  her  just  demands,  and  they  throw  themselves  upon  the 
ground  that  December  day,  many  of  them  without  even  removing 
their  accouterments,  and  fall  into  a  sleep  from  which  they  can  not 
be  awakened  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  in  many  cases  all  efforts  fail 
to  arouse  them  until  thirty  hours  had  elapsed. 

"  While  they  sleep,  let  us  see  of  what  they  are  composed. 
Certainly  they  must  have  been  perfect  specimens  of  physical 
strength,  or  they  could  not  have  withstood  the  fatigue  of  those 
seventy-two  hours  of  continuous  duty,  marching  and  fighting,  with- 
out relief.  No ;  surely,  there  were  no  hospital  pimps  or  members 
of  the  quinine  brigade  among  them.  Then  what  about  their  loy- 
alty to  the  cause  for  which  they  put  forth  this  tremendous  effort? 
We  defy  the  annals  of  recorded  history  to  produce  an  instance 
of  more  devoted  loyalty  to,  or  heroic  defense  of,  a  cause  than 
these  men  showed  during  those  terrible  seventy-two  hours.  And 
still  we  are  told  that  these  men  have  and  are  receiving  all  they 
deserve  from  the  hands  of  the  Nation  they  saved  from  utter  ruin. 
Our  beloved  '  Pap '  Thomas  said,  in  speaking  of  the  1st  Brigade, 
'  They  saved  the  day  at  Franklin,  and  thereby  saved  this  army.' 

"Thus  ended  the  Franklin  campaign." 

From  a  recent  article  by  John  K.  Shellenberger,  of 
Humboldt,  Iowa,  we  extract  the  following,  explaining 
just  how  Opdycke's  brigade  came  to  be  posted  in 
reserve : 

"The  circumstances  under  which  Opdycke  took  up  that  posi- 
tion were  perfectly  well  known  to  General  Cox  and  General  Scho- 
field,  and  yet  Cox  in  his  book,  and  Schofield  in  his  paper,  have 
stated  the  case  in  a  manner  deliberately  intended  to  give  the  im- 
pression to  the  ordinary  reader  that  Opdycke  went  into  reserve  in 
obedience  to  orders.  This  is  what  Opdycke  himself  had  to  say  on 
this  point: 

"  '  My  brigade  was  the  rear  guard  from  Spring  Hill,  and,  as  I 
was  moving  on  the  Columbia  pike,  I  came  to  where  Lane's  and 
Conrad's  brigades  were  in  position,  in  perfect  exposure,  on  the 
plain.  Wagner  rode  to  me,  and  ordered  me  into  line  with  them. 
I  energetically  objected  to  having  troops  out  there  where  they 


"SA VED  THE  DAY."  467 

were  in  serious  exposure,  and  where  they  could  aid  the  enemy 
and  nobody  else.  Wagner  rode  on  with  me  as  I  was  urging  my 
objections  (for  I  did  not  even  halt),  and  when  we  reached  the 
main  line  at  Carter's  Hill  there  was  no  room  for  more  troops,  and 
so  we  rode  on  till  we  came  to  the  open  space,  where  we  had  arms 
stacked.  Wagner  then  (i.  e.,  before  arms  were  stacked)  said  to 
me:  "Now,  Opdycke,  fight  when  and  where  you  think  best.  I 
may  not  see  you  again."  I  did  not  see  him  again,  and  that  was 
the  only  order  I  received  till  General  Cox  ordered  me  to  retire 
after  the  battle.' 

"In  a  letter  to  me,  commenting  on  General  Cox's  book  when 
it  first  came  out,  General  Opdycke  used  this  vigorous  language: 
'The  23d  Corps  people  have  been  for  nearly  twenty  years  endeavor- 
ing to  close  the  fatal  gap  opened  by  them,  and  Cox  has,  with  his 
pen  [he  could  not  do  it  with  the  23d  Corps  on  the  30th  of 
November,  1864],  got  the  thing  almost  done  without  my  brigade. 
He  ignores  the  fact  that  a  few  minutes  after  my  men  closed  the 
gap,  he  came  to  me  and  said:  "Opdycke,  that  charge  saved  the 
day." 

"  '  It  is  utterly  false  to  say  I  was  put  in  reserve,  for  I  went  there 
myself,  without  order  or  suggestion  from  any  one.  I  would  have 
been  out  where  your  brigade  was,  in  useless  and  extreme  exposure, 
if  I  had  not  most  energetically  opposed  being  thus  falsely  placed. 
What  would  have  become  of  the  23d  Corps,  Schofield,  Cox,  and 
all,  if  I  had  been  out  with  Lane  and  Conrad,  instead  of  where  I 
was?'" 

We  could  present  more  evidence,  uniform  with  all 
the  foregoing — evidence  in  proof  of  the  same  facts,  and 
fully  and  farther  sustaining  our  claims.  We  forbear, 
this  chapter  having  lengthened  out  beyond  our  expec- 
tation. It  is  an  admitted  fact  that  Opdycke's  brigade 
was  posted  in  reserve  at  Franklin.  Its  conduct  there, 
.the  part  performed  by  it  at  a  certain  stage  of  the  bat- 
tle, when  defeat,  ruinous  and  overwhelming  disaster, 
were  imminent,  brought  its  commander  to  the  notice  of 
the  commanding  general.  Major-General  George  H. 
Thomas  recommended  the  promotion  of  Colonel  Opdycke. 
The  grounds  for  such  recommendation  were  indorsed 


468         GENERAL  GEORGE  H.  THOMAS. 

on  the  back  thereof  by  General   Thomas,  and  read  as 
follows : 

"  At  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Opdycke  displayed  the  very  high- 
est qualities  as  a  commander.  It  is  not  saying  too  much  to  declare 
that  but  for  the  skillful  dispositions  made  by  Colonel  Opdycke 
(all  of  which  were  done  entirely  on  his  own  judgment),  the 
promptness  and  readiness  with  which  he  brought  his  command  into 
action  at  the  critical  and  decisive  moment,  and  the  signal  personal 
gallantry  displayed  in  a  counter  assault  on  the  enemy,  when  he 
had  broken  our  lines,  disaster  instead  of  victory  would  have  fallen 
on  us  at  Franklin." 

From  a  recent  article  by  John  K.  Shellenberger,  of 
Humboldt,  Iowa,  we  extract  the  following: 

"General  Thomas  had  the  best  opportunity  of  learning  the 
truth.  It  is  impossible  to  believe  he  would  sign  his  name  to 
such  a  recommendation  without  first  assuring  himself  that  it  con- 
tained only  the  truth.  It  is  certain  that  Schofield's  order  to  Wag- 
ner included  the  entire  division,  and  that  by  the  terms  of  that 
order  Opdycke's  brigade  was  consigned  to  the  same  exposure  as 
the  brigades  of  Lane  and  Conrad.  While  our  generals  were  suffer- 
ing from  an  excess  of  apathy,  which  was  only  equaled  by  that  dis- 
played by  Hood  and  his  generals  the  day  before  at  Spring  Hill, 
this  brilliant,  vigilant  colonel  of  volunteers,  commanding  a  brigade, 
displayed  the  military  foresight,  and  on  his  own  responsibility  so 
placed  his  brigade  that  at  the  critical  moment  it  saved  our  army 
from  destruction. 

"  What  a  picture  of  incompetence,  fitly  followed  by  ingratitude 
and  misrepresentation  on  the  part  of  Schofield  and  Cox,  the  story 
of  Colonel  Oydycke  discloses.  They  both  failed  to  comprehend 
the  situation  ;  both  owe  it  to  his  foresight  that  they  now  possess 
any  military  reputation,  and  they  have  worked  together  to  rob 
him  of  the  credit  due  for  his  unordered  action.  When  Opdycke  saw 
the  men  of  the  23d  Corps  coming  back,  he  turned  to  his  brigade 
to  give  the  order  to  fix  bayonets.  No  order  was  necessary.  His 
men  knew  what  was  to  be  done,  and  were  fixing  bayonets  of 
their  own  accord.  Thank  God,  there  stood  a  brigade  not  to  be 
'confused'  by  friends  trampling  over  it!  It  was  of  exactly  the 
same  temper,  having  been  forged  in  the  same  battle-fires  as  the  2d 


IMPARTIAL  HISTORY.  469 

and  3d  Brigades,  which  had  been  so  needlessly  and  cruelly  exposed. 
At  the  command  of  Opdycke,  his  brigade  sprang  forward,  and 
in  a  desperate  hand-to-hand  contest,  in  which  Opdycke  himself, 
after  firing  all  the  shots  in  his  revolver  and  then  using  it  as  a  club, 
broke  it  over  the  head  of  a  rebel,  it  restored  the  break  in  the  line. 
"But  not  unaided  was  it  done.  The  historian  of  the  36th 
Illinois,  one  of  Opdycke's  regiments,  in  describing  this  contest 
makes  this  honorable  acknowledgment :  '  The  officers  of  the  23d 
Corps,  and  of  the  broken  fragments  of  the  brigades  of  Lane  and 
Conrad,  seeing  that  the  1st  Brigade  was  holding  the  enemy  at 
bay,  flung  themselves  across  the  track  of  the  retreating  fugitives, 
and  alternately  threatened  and  entreated  their  men  to  rally  and 
turn  back  to  the  support  of  Opdycke.  Hastily  reforming,  they 
rushed  down  to  where  the  1st  Brigade  was  engaged,  firing  as  they 
ran,  and  co-operated  with  Opdycke  in  beating  the  exultant 
enemy  back  and  recovering  the  lost  position  and  guns.'" 

There  are  other  histories  of  the  Hood  campaign  in 
Tennessee,  in  addition  to,  if,  indeed,  not  written  before 
that  written  by  General  J.  D.  Cox.  General  Cox  was 
doubtless  looking  after  the  interests  and  reputation  of 
the  23d  Corps  when  writing  his  history.  Well,  that  is 
all  right;  nobody  objects.  We  will  now  copy  a  passage 
concerning  this  Hood  campaign  from  an  impartial  writer ; 
one  of  whom  it  can  be  safely  said,  he  belonged  to 
neither  the  23d  nor  the  4th  Corps.  What  we  copy,  re- 
motely confirms  our  claim  as  to  being  in  advance  from 
Columbia  to  Spring  Hill,  and  is  found  on  pages  680, 
681,  682,  and  683  of  Volume  II  of  "  The  American  Con- 
flict," by  the  Honorable  Horace  Greeley : 

"When  the  enemy  appeared  before  Columbia,  declining  to 
assault,  but  evincing  a  purpose  to  cross  Duck  River,  above  or 
below,  General  Schofield  withdrew  across  that  stream,  and,  on 
learning  that  the  rebels  had  crossed  six  miles  above,  directed 
General  Stanley  to  follow  his  trains  to  Spring  Hill,  where  he 
arrived  just  in  time  to  save  them  from  Forrest's  cavalry,  which 
was  close  upon  them,  but  which  he  drove  off,  being  assailed  soon 


470  THE  MANEUVERS. 

afterward  by  a  much  stronger  force,  including  infantry,  with  which 
he  fought  till  dark,  barely  holding  the  road  whereby  Schofield 
must  make  good  his  retreat. 

"  Schofield,  with  Ruger's  division,  had  been  kept  awake  all  day 
by  the  enemy's  efforts  to  cross  Duck  River  at  Columbia,  repuls- 
ing, with  heavy  loss  to  them,  their  repeated  attempts  to  do  so. 
When  night  fell  he  resumed  his  movement,  brushing  aside  the 
rebel  cavalry  who  infested  the  road,  and  finding  at  Spring  Hill 
the  enemy  bivouacking  within  half  a  mile  of  his  own  line  of  re- 
treat. He  did  not  choose  to  have  any  difficulty  with  them  just 
then,  but  pushed  on  with  his  entire  command,  and  after  fighting 
all  day  and  marching  twenty-five  miles  during  the  following  night, 
he  got  into  position  early  on  the  30th  at  Franklin.  His  cavalry, 
moving  on  the  Lewisburg  pike  several  miles  eastward,  had  en- 
countered no  enemy.  Time  being  absolutely  required  to  save  our 
trains  which  choked  the  road  for  many  miles,  Schofield  halted  on 
the  southern  verge  of  the  village,  threw  up  a  slight  breastwork, 
and  proposed  to  stop  while  his  train  should  be  got  over  the  Har- 
peth  and  fairly  on  its  way  to  Nashville.  Franklin  is  situated  in 
the  bend  of  the  Harpeth,  which  here  rudely  describes  the  north 
and  east  sides  of  a  square,  which  was  completed  by  our  lines  of 
defense.  These  were  held  by  two  divisions  of  his  own,  and  all 
three  of  the  4th  (Stanley's)  Corps,  the  whole  reported  at  seventeen 
thousand,  and  certainly  not  much  exceeding  that  number.  As  the 
ground  rises  from  the  stream,  the  position  was  of  little  worth,  save 
as  its  flanks  were  protected  by  the  river. 

"  Hood's  army,  arriving  later,  was  not  ready  for  the  onset  till 
four  P.  M.,  when,  at  the  word  of  command,  the  charging  lines 
swept  on.  Hood  had  delayed  the  attack  till  all  his  forces  could 
be  brought  up,  intending  to  crush  in  our  front  at  the  first  onset 
by  the  sheer  weight  of  his  assault.  Stewart's  corps  was  on  his 
right,  next  the  Harpeth;  Cheatham's  on  his  left,  reaching  west- 
ward to  the  angle  of  our  defenses ;  Lee  in  reserve  behind  them, 
though  Johnson's  division  of  Lee's  corps  was  thrown  to  the  left 
during  the  engagement ;  the  cavalry  was  on  both  flanks,  For- 
rest, with  most  of  it,  on  the  right.  '  Break  those  lines,'  shouted 
Hood  to  his  men,  '  and  there  is  nothing  more  to  withstand  you  this 
side  of  the  Ohio  River.' 

"  Many  Tennesseeans  were  now,  for  the  first  time  in  weary 
months,  within  sight  of  their  homes ;  one  general  (Carter)  fell 
mortally  wounded  within  a  few  rods  of  his  own  house. 


"FIRST  BRIGADE!    FORWARD!!'1  471 

"  General  Schofield  watched  the  progress  of  the  battle  from 
Fort  Granger,  across  the  Harpeth.  Though  Schofield's  command 
numbered  nearly,  if  not  quite,  twenty  thousand  men,  a  good  part 
of  it  was  already  across  the  river,  guarding  trains,  and  on  our  left 
flank,  while  two  divisions  held  the  lines  guarding  our  right,  so 
that  all  the  force  directly  confronting  the  rebel  advance  hardly 
numbered  ten  thousand.  Of  these,  two  brigades  of  the  2d  (Wag- 
ner's) Division  of  the  4th  (Stanley's)  Corps  were  thrown  to  our 
front,  holding  some  slight  works  a  few  hundred  yards  in  advance 
of  our  general  line,  the  key  of  which  was  Carter's  Hill,  a  gentle 
eminence,  across  which  ran  the  Columbia  pike  through  Franklin 
to  Nashville.  Behind  that  hill  stood  the  1st  (Opdycke's)  Brigade 
of  Wagner's  (2d)  division,  in  reserve. 

"  The  rebel  charge  was  so  impetuous,  as  well  as  so  heavy,  that 
it  was  scarcely  checked  by  the  advanced  works,  held  too  long  by 
the  two  brigades  aforesaid,  but  swept  over  them  like  a  torrent, 
hurling  back  our  men  in  tumultuous  rout,  taking  many  prisoners 
and  driving  the  residue  right  through  the  center  of  our  main  line, 
which  not  merely  opened  to  receive  them,  but  kept  widening  after 
they  had  rushed  past.  In  an  instant  the  wings  next  the  pike,  of 
the  2d  and  3d  Divisions  of  the  23d  (Cox's)  Corps,  recoiled  before 
the  enemy's  charge;  the  hill  was  lost,  eight  of  our  guns  taken, 
and  the  rebel  flag  planted  in  triumph  on  our  breastworks,  as  the 
exulting  victors,  having  passed  over  them,  hastily  formed  on  the 
inside,  intending  to  follow  up  their  triumph.  Caissons,  as  well  as 
men,  streamed  wildly  to  the  bridges,  supposing  the  day  utterly 
lost,  and  nothing  left  to  do  but  save  from  the  wreck  as  much  as 
possible. 

"  'First  Brigade!  forward  to  the  works!'  rang  out  the  steady 
voice  of  Opdycke,  as  the  rabble  rout  swept  by,  he  riding  rapidly 
forward,  as  the  bayonets  of  his  men  came  down  to  a,  charge,  flash- 
ing back  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun.  Swiftly,  steadily,  GRANDLY, 
that  brigade  rushed  upon  the  foe;  a  brief  but  bloody  struggle  en- 
sued, and  at  its  close  no  rebel  remained  upon  or  inside  of  the 
works,  but  the  dead  and  wounded,  with  three  hundred  prisoners. 
Our  guns  were  recovered,  ten  rebel  battle  flags  taken,  our  line  was 
restored,  and  Opdycke's  head-quarters  established  here  on  the  pike ; 
and  here  they  remained  until  the  last  shot  was  fired  that  night. 
Our  defenses  had  been  regained  as  much  by  surprise  as  by  valor, 
the  enemy  not  expecting  a  counter-charge ;  they  must  now  be 
held  by  valor  alone.  Exasperated,  rather  than  disconcerted,  Hood 


4  72  SOME  HE  A  VY  LOSSES. 

threw  heavy  masses  against  the  lost  breastworks,  hoping  to  retake 
them  before  they  could  be  adequately  manned,  while  Opdycke, 
first  exhausting  all  the  shots  in  his  revolver,  employed  it  as  a  club 
to  drive  up  stragglers  to  the  help  of  his  heroic  brigade ;  and  when 
he  had  broken  the  pistol,  he  dismounted  and  borrowed  a  musket, 
which  he  found  even  more  efficient  in  the  work  of  persuasion, 
driving  skulkers  out  of  the  reserve  fort,  in  which  they  had  sought 
and  found  comparative  safety.  Of  course  his  efforts  and  those  of 
his  men,  were  nobly  supported  by  others — there  being  ample  scope 
and  work  for  all.  The  battle  raged  fiercely  till  ten  P.  M.,  the 
enemy  shifting  gradually  to  our  right  and  attacking  on  the  flank, 
where  he  was  more  especially  confronted  and  repelled  by  Stanley's 
1st  division,  General  Nathan  Kimball.  But  our  lines  were  never 
again  broken,  assault  after  assault  being  repulsed  with  great  loss 
to  the  assailants  and  smaller  to  the  defenders,  until  the  enemy  de- 
sisted; and  then,  a  little  after  midnight,  our  trains  being  by  this 
time  well  on  their  way,  our  men  quietly  drew  out  of  their  defenses 
and  followed  until,  about  noon,  our  weary,  sleepless  heroes  were 
safely  within  the  defenses  of  Nashville.  Forrest  had  followed 
sharply  since  daylight,  but  to  no  purpose.  Our  loss  in  this  san- 
guinary engagement  was  officially  reported  at  189  killed,  1,033 
wounded  (including  Major  General  D.  S.  Stanley  severely),  and 
1,104  missing  (many  of  these  doubtless  wounded  also,  and  nearly 
all  captured) ;  total,  2,326.  Not  a  gun  was  left  behind  in  our 
retreat.  General  Thomas  reports  the  rebel  loss  in  this  struggle  at 
1,750  killed,  3,800  wounded,  and  702  prisoners;  total,  6,252. 

"Hood,  in  a  conversational  account  of  the  battle,  says:  'The 
struggle  lasted  till  near  midnight;  when  the  enemy  abandoned  his 
works  and  crossed  the  river,  leaving  his  dead  and  wounded  in  our 
possession.  Never  did  troops  fight  more  gallantly.  During  the 
day  I  was  restrained  from  using  my  artillery  on  account  of  the 
women  and  children  remaining  in  the  town.  At  night  it  was 
massed,  ready  to  continue  the  action  in  the  morning,  but  the 
enemy  retired.  We  captured  about  a  thousand  prisoners  and  sev- 
eral stands  of  colors.  Our  total  loss,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  pris- 
oners, was  four  thousand  five  hundred.  Among  the  killed  were 
Major-General  P.  R.  Cleburne,  Brigadier-Generals  Gist,  John 
Adams,  Strahl,  and  Granbury;  Major-General  Brown,  with  Brig- 
adier-Generals Carter,  Manigault,  Quarles,  Cockerell,  and  Scott, 
wounded,  and  Brigadier-General  Gordon  captured.  The  number 
of  dead  left  by  the  enemy  on  the  field  indicated  that  his  loss  was 


BATTLE  OF  FRANKLIN.  473 

equal  to  or  near  our  own.  The  next  morning  at  daylight,  the 
wounded  being  cared  for  and  the  dead  buried,  we  moved  forward  to 
Nashville;  Forrest,  with  his  cavalry  pursuing  the  enemy  vigorously.' 
"The  loss  of  Pat  Cleburne,  the  Stonewall  Jackson  of  the  West, 
would  of  itself  have  been  a  rebel  disaster.  He  was  an  Irishman 
by  birth,  who  had  served  as  a  private  in  the  British  army,  and 
who  left  behind  him  no  superior  as  a  rough-and-ready  fighter. 
By  the  carnage  this  day  Hood's  army  was  depleted  of  a  full 
sixth — not  of  its  numbers,  but  of  its  effective  force — a  loss  which 
it  had  no  means  of  replacing." 

This  is  all  we  shall  quote  from  the  authority  cited. 
We  make  no  comment  on  it;  the  account  speaks  for 
itself. 

We  shall  now  copy  entire,  including  the  prelude 
thereto,  an  account  of  the  battle  of  Franklin  by  a  Mis- 
sissippian,  a  private  soldier  in  the  ranks  of  Reynolds's 
division  of  Confederates.  How  well  he  corroborates" 
Hood's  statement  as  to  his  losses,  how  well  he  describes 
the  rebel  operations  and  movements  preliminary  to  the 
battle,  as  well  as  the  battle  itself,  we  leave  the  reader 
to  judge.  The  account,  which  was  published  in  the 
Grand  Army  Gazette  and  National  Guardsmen,  Nos. 
82  and  84  Nassau  Street,  New  York  City,  is  as  follows : 

"THE  BATTLE  OF  FRANKLIN. 

"Three  years  ago  my  comrade,  Rhett  Thomas,  and  I  were 
prospecting  in  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains,  in 
Wyoming.  Thomas  was  an  ex-Confederate  soldier,  a  Mississippian. 
He  was  tall,  slender,  lean -flanked,  thin-faced,  black-eyed,  and 
forty-two  years  old.  On  the  evening  of  May  30th  we  sat  by  a 
blazing  camp-fire  in  Bear-creek  Valley.  The  dark,  pine-clad 
highlands  behind  us  resounded  with  the  noise  of  falling  water  and 
the  mournful  sighing  of  the  swaying  pines.  We  sat  silently  look- 
ing at  the  fire,  here  dying  down,  there  suddenly  glowing  into  heat, 
as  if  it  were  alive  and  swayed  by  a  gust  of  passion.  The  fire  and 
the  day  recalled  memories  of  the  war. 

"  '  Thomas,'  I  said,   *  to-day  is  Decoration-day.      Throughout 


474  ,       RHETT  THOMAS. 

the  North,  the  graves  of  the  men  who  fell  in  defense  of  the  Union 
have  been  strewn  with  flowers  The  memories  of  the  war  are 
being  recalled  around  thousands  of  hearth  stones  to-night.  You 
never  speak  of  the  war.  Break  your  rule  to-night,  and  tell  me  a 
battle  story.' 

"Thomas  looked  at  me  inquiringly  for  an  instant,  and  then 
said  sadly: 

"  'I  do  not  like  to  talk  of  the  war.  My  father  and  brothers 
were  killed  in  battle;  our  home  was  burned,  our  slaves  freed,  our 
lands  made  valueless.  My  friends  and  comrades  were  shot  dead 
by  the  score.  Other  scores,  weakened  by  starvation  and  hard 
work,  and  thinly  clad,  died.  The  memories  of  the  war  are  exceed- 
ingly painful  to  me.  But,'  he  added,  as  he  shrugged  his  shoulders 
to  my  entreaty  to  talk,  '  pile  some  wood  on  the  fire  while  I  cut  a 
couple  of  pipefuls  of  tobacco,  and  then  I  will  tell  you  of  the 
fiercest  battle  I  was  in.' 

"  I  piled  logs  high  on  the  fire.  We  lit  our  pipes  on  the  glow- 
ing coals  ;  then,  wrapped  in  our  blankets,  we  sat  on  the  ground, 
and  I  listened  attentively  to  my  rebel  friend. 

"  'I  belonged  to  Joe  Johnston's  army,'  said  Thomas.  '  We  had 
ceased  to  talk  of  our  victory  at  Kenesaw.  The  daily  fighting 
during  our  long  retreat  before  Sherman  had  been  almost  forgotten. 
Our  lost  opportunity  on  Peach-tree  Creek — lost  by  the  removal  of 
Johnston — had  ceased  to  trouble  us.  The  loss  of  Atlanta,  and 
thousands  of  our  comrades  who  fell  in  the  battle  around  that 
town,  was  still  fresh  in  our  memories.  And  fresher  still  was  the 
recollection  of  the  bloody  assault  on  the  two  redoubts  near  Altoona, 
that  were  held  by  a  couple  of  thousand  Yankees. 

"  'We  had  lost  Johnston,  in  whom  we  had  unbounded  con- 
fidence. Hood,  whom  we  did  not  consider  a  safe  soldier,  was  in 
command.  We  feared  that  some  of  the  belief  as  to  the  fighting 
capacity  of  Northern  men,  held  by  the  slaveholders  before  the 
war,  lingered  in  his  mind.  We  privates  had  promptly  discovered 
that  the  Yankees  were  as  efficient  fighters  as  we  for  two  days,  and 
our  superiors  if  the  battle  lasted  three,  four,  or  five  days.  We  had 
a  saying  which  was  founded  on  fact;  it  was:  'Yankees  must  be 
whipped  in  two  days,  or  they  can  not  be  beaten  at  all.' 

'"We  marched  north,  south,  east,  west — in  any  direction 
Hood  saw  fit  to  lead  us — and  Sherman  trailed  after  us.  At  Gales- 
burg  he  tired  of  the  pleasures  of  the  chase,  and  abandoned  us. 
We  camped  for  a  few  days,  then  crossed  the  Tennessee  River  a  few 


EARLY  IN  THE  AFTERNOON?  475 

miles  above  Florence,  and  marched  rapidly  toward  Columbia.  Here 
we  had  our  first  hard  fighting  in  forcing  the  passage  of  Duck  River. 
We  pushed  the  Federals  from  the  river,  and  then  made  a  furious 
march,  fighting  as  we  went,  so  as  to  intercept  the  retreat  of  Scho- 
field's  army.  We  outmarched  them,  and  slept  near  Spring  Hill. 
When  we  bivouacked  we  knew  that  we  had  Schofield  in  a  trap, 
and  that  he  was  ours.' 

"  Thomas  ceased  talking.  He  looked  gloomily  into  the  fire  for 
an  instant,  and  then  said  regretfully : 

"  '  Yes,  we  outmarched  Schofield,  and  then  we  slept,  and  while 
we  slept  Schofield  marched  by — marched  within  a  half  a  mile  of 
our  camp-fires.  I  have  never  seen  more  intense  rage  and  pro- 
found disgust  than  was  expressed  by  the  weary,  foot-sore,  battle- 
torn  Confederate  soldiers  when  they  discovered  that  their  officers 
had  allowed  their  prey  to  escape.  Sullenly  we  fell  into  column, 
and  resumed  the  chase.  We  pushed  Schofield  closely.  He  struck 
the  Harpeth  River  at  Franklin,  where  the  stream  makes  a  right 
angle.  We  were  so  close  to  Schofield  that  he  did  n't  dare  to  at- 
tempt to  cross  the  river,  for  fear  of  losing,  not  only  his  trains  but 
his  army.  The  Yankees  formed  a  battle  line  across  the  neck  of  land 
formed  by  the  winding  river.  Their  flanks  rested  on  the  water.  Their 
center  was  on  a  low  hill,  where  a  couple  of  batteries  stood  in  action. 

"  '  We  were  on  the  ground  early  in  the  morning.  The 
Yankees  had  just  begun  to  break  earth  for  an  intrenchment.  We 
could  see  their  entire  line,  and  judge  correctly  of  their  numbers. 
We  outnumbered  them  over  two  to  "one.  The  Confederates, 
though  tired  and  hungry,  were  keen  to  be  led  to  the  assault.  We, 
one  and  all,  prepared  to  fight  at  once,  rather  than  to  wait  for  an 
hour  or  two  and  be  fed.  After  our  bloody  experience  at  Altoona  we 
dreaded  to  attack  earth-works  manned  by  veteran  Yankee  infantry. 

"  'Now  we  had  Schofield's  army  cooped.  They  could  not  re- 
treat. The  river  was  behind  them.  We  knew  that  if  we  attacked 
at  once  we  could  kill  them,  or  capture  them,  or  drive  them  into 
the  river.  But  we  also  knew  that  if  Hood  allowed  them  to  throw 
up  an  earth-work,  it  mattered  not  how  slight,  that  they  would 
most  tenaciously  hold  that  defense.  They  were  desperate  men. 
Their  only  chance  was  to  fight,  and  fight,  and  still  fight.  In  the 
open  we  could  have  crushed  them  in  an  hour.  Once  covered,  we 
knew  that  they  could  not  ber  crushed ;  and  we  privates,  who  had 
fought  these  men  for  three  years  knew  that  they  would  fight  to 
the  last  man,  almost,  once  they  were  warmed  to  their  work. 


476  A  LATE  BREAKFAST. 

"  'As  we  stood  in  column  waiting  for  our  orders,  I  saw  the 
corps  and  division  commanders  crowd  around  Hood,  who  had  rid- 
den onto  the  field.  I  dropped  out  of  the  ranks,  and  drew  near  to 
the  group.  They  were  inspecting  the  Yankee  line.  I  heard 
Cleburne,  approved  and  fearless  fighter,  urge  Hood  to  order  the 
assault  at  once.  I  heard  other  general  officers  advise  him  not  to 
waste  time,  not  to  allow  the  Yankees  time  to  cover  themselves. 
Hood  refused  to  order  the  assault,  saying  the  troops  were  tired 
and  hungry,  and  needed  food  and  rest,  and  he  added,  contempt- 
uously :  '  In  ten  minutes  we  can  drive  the  Yankees  out  of  any 
works  they  can  throw  up  in  two  hours.  They  can  not  hold  that 
line.'  Cleburne  shook  his  head  negatively  at  this,  but  Hood  was 
firm.  When  I  saw  Cleburne,  who  was  ever  keen  for  battle,  shake 
his  head,  I  was  discouraged.  If  Cleburne  dreads  the  work  it  must 
be  hopeless,  I  thought. 

"  'The  men  were  ordered  to  cook  breakfast,  and  obeyed  sul- 
lenly. The  Yankee  earth-works  steadily  grew  as  we  looked  on. 
Two  hours  passed,  and  they  were  finished,  and  the  Yankee  in- 
fantry sank  out  of  sight  behind  them.  Then  came  marching  and 
countermarching  on  our  part.  It  was  four  o'clock  before  our  dis- 
positions for  the  assault  were  made.  From  the  position  I  was  in 
I  could  plainly  see  the  Yankee  line.  It  seemed  to  be  deserted. 
Now  and  then  the  head  of  a  man  would  appear  above  the  works, 
or  an  artillery  man  would  crouch  behind  a  gun,  and  gaze  in  our 
direction. 

"  '  We  were  formed  for  the  assault.  The  plan  was  to  launch 
several  columns  against  the  line,  and  endeavor  to  break  it  at  dif- 
ferent points,  while  the  real  attack  would  be  made  on  the  little 
hill  where  the  two  batteries  stood.  Our  artillery  went  into  action. 
Some  dismounted  artillerymen  were  formed  behind  us.  These 
were  to  follow  us  closely,  and  when  we  had  capturea  the  Yankees' 
guns,  they  were  to  turn  them  and  pulverize  the  flying  Yankees. 
It  was  a  good  idea,  and  the  artillerymen  laughed  gleefully  at  the 
picture  they  had  conjured.  It  was  well  they  had  their  laugh  first. 

"  '  All  was  ready;  we  arose,  and  dashed  forward.  Out  of  the 
ground  rose  the  Yankee  pickets,  and,  firing  once,  they  ran  for  their 
earth-works.  As  we  screamed  out  the  charging  yell,  the  Yankee 
troops  rose  up  from  behind  their  works,  and  their  rifles  fell  into  a 
horizontal  line;  the  Federal  artillerists  sprung  to  their  guns;  we 
instinctively  pulled  our  hat-brims  down  as  though  to  protect  our 
faces,  and  dashed  into  the  open.  Instantly  we  were  met  by  a 


THE  YANKEE  RESERVE.  477 

storm  of  bullets  and  canister  that  caused  us  to  stagger  as  our 
dead  and  wounded  comrades  fell  against  us.  We  wavered  badly, 
then  gathered  ourselves  and  pushed  on,  firing  as  we  went.  The 
powder-smoke  hung  on  the  field ;  through  rifts  in  it  we  could  see  the 
Federal  gunners  spring  nimbly  to  and  fro  from  the  Napoleon  guns. 
The  responsive  flash  of  the  guns  as  the  lanyards  were  pulled  would 
be  followed  by  the  rip  of  canister  as  it  flew  past  and  through  us, 
tearing  great  gaps  in  our  ranks,  cracking  men's  bones  as  pipe- 
stems,  and  knocking  brave  men  dead  with  great  holes  in  their 
bodies.  The  zip,  zip,  zip,  of  flying  rifle-balls  was  a  mighty  and 
steady  hum,  as  though  the  empty  cylinders  of  countless  threshing- 
machines  were  revolving  at  full  speed  all  around  us. 

" '  Steadily  the  veteran  Yankee  infantry,  who  had  to  hold 
their  line  of  earth-works  or  take  to  the  water,  loaded  and  fired. 
Our  men  fell  by  the  hundreds.  We  staggered  on  through  this 
storm  of  bullets  and  canister  for  five  minutes.  We  had  not 
reached  the  Union  line.  Then  we  heard  exultant  shouts  to 
our  left,  and  through  the  drifting  smoke  caught  a  glimpse  of  our 
battle-flags  planted  on  the  Federal  breastworks  on  the  hill ;  and 
as  we  saw  the  men  clad  in  gray  clamber  over  the  works  and  dis- 
appear, we  redoubled  our  efforts  to  take  the  line  in  front  of  us. 
The  fire  did  not  slacken  a  particle.  Its  defenders  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  the  disaster  that  had  overtaken  their  center.  As  we  drew 
closer,  the  parapet,  reddened  in  the  smoke  and  the  fire,  resembled 
the  fury  of  hell  in  its  intensity. 

"  '  Then,  loud  above  the  battle's  roar,  sounded  the  charging  cheer 
of  the  Yankee  troops,  and  we  knew  the  Confederates  who  had  broken 
the  Federal  center  were  being  called  upon  to  make  good  their  suc- 
cess by  meeting  the  charge  of  the  Yankee  reserve.  Could  they 
withstand  it?  Promptly  came  the  answer.  There  was  a  solid 
crash  of  musketry  from  that  portion  of  the  line,  and  in  an  instant 
the  remnants  of  the  victorious  Confederates  swarmed  out  of  the 
captured  works  and  ran  for  cover.  Instantly  the  earth-works  were 
manned  by  a  double  line  of  blue-coated  infantry,  who  shot  down 
the  flying  Confederates  by  scores. 

"  '  We  pressed  on.  We  were  so  close  to  the  works  that  some 
of  our  men  fell  into  the  ditch.  And  we  could  see  the  eyes  of 
the  Yankee  infantry  as  they  looked  over  their  rifle  sights.  Their 
faces  were  pallid,  their  jaws  set,  and  their  eyes  blazed  with  battle- 
light.  I  never  before  saw  such  rapid  handling  of  artillery.  It 
seemed  to  me  that  I  could  hear  No.  1  impatiently  tap  the  sponge- 


478  A  VIVID  RECOLLECTION. 

staff  on  the  blackened  muzzles  of  the  brass  guns  as  he  called  for 
canister,  and  more  canister,  and  still  more  canister.  We  were 
sufficiently  near  to  feel  the  wind  of  the  guns. 

"  'I  looked  back.  We  had  not  advanced  far.  The  dead  lay 
in  windrows.  Wounded  men  were  staggering  over  the  field,  and 
falling  in  ones,  twos,  and  threes,  as  they  came  together  for  aid  be- 
tween the  lines  of  dead.  The  men  hesitated.  They  realized  that 
they  could  not  carry  the  works.  Their  line  officers  tried  to  hold 
them.  They  staggered  a  few  feet  nearer  the  Federal  Hoe,  firing 
wildly  the  while,  to  be  scorched  by  the  hot  breath  of  cannon  and 
rifles.  They  wavered  badly,  tried  to  hold  on,  then  broke  and  ran 
for  cover.  We  were  under  fire  for  about  ten  minutes,  and  one- 
third  of  our  division  (Reynolds's)  was  killed  or  wounded. 

" '  Stunned,  bewildered,  and  horribly  disappointed,  we  gathered 
in  a  protected  position  and  were  speedily  reformed.  We  were 
allowed  to  rest  for  awhile.  Of  course,  the  planned  simultaneous 
attack  by  several  columns  had  failed.  Of  course,  they  did  not  get 
off  together.  They  went  in  one  after  the  other,  and  they  were  all 
whipped.  Again  we  were  formed  into  charging  column.  Our 
officers  briefly  explained  the  necessity  of  carrying  the  works.  We 
swore  to  take  them  or  die  in  the  attempt. 

"  'Ah!'  said  Thomas,  '  it  is  easy  to  swear  to  do  things  when 
you  are  not  under  fire ;  but  hard,  exceedingly  hard,  to  accomplish 
them.  We  rushed  to  the  assault  again,  again  to  be  met  by  a  fire 
the  heat  of  which  warped  us  out  of  line.  It  seemed  to  me  that 
the  air  was  so  full  of  bullets  that  I  could  have  caught  some  by 
simply  grabbing  on  either  side  or  above  me.  We  advanced  close 
to  the  works,  and  again  we  broke  and  fled  for  cover.  The 
Yankees,  now  thoroughly  angry  and  merciless,  began  to  shoot  at 
every  living  object  within  range  of  their  rifles.  Wounded  Con- 
federates who  moved  a  leg  or  an  arm  were  instantly  selected  as 
targets  and  were  literally  shot  to  pieces. 

"  '  Darkness  descended  and  still  the  battle-torn  Confederates 
were  formed  into  charging  columns,  and  launched  against  the 
Yankee  works.  We  advanced,  stumbling  over  our  dead  and 
wounded.  The  latter  shrieked  as  we  trod  on  their  mangled  limbs. 
Powder  smoke  hung  over  the  field  in  clouds  which  reflected  the 
lurid  fire  that  blazed  along  the  Yankee  parapets. 

'"Eight  o'clock,  nine  o'clock,  9.30,  and  we  are  still  fighting, 
still  dying,  still  trampling  our  dead  and  wounded  comrades  into  the 
earth.  Then  we  gave  it  up.  We  had  made  five  desperate  charges. 
Pat  Cleburne's  men  had  made  six,  and  he  fell  dead  while  leading 


"GLAD  THEY  HAD  GONE."  479 

the  last.  Every  general  officer  in  the  array,  excepting  Hood,  was 
killed  or  wounded.  Our  losses  had  run  high  up  in  the  thousands. 
We  stacked  our  arms  and  lay  down.  All  night  our  wounded 
comrades  crawled  off  of  the  field  and  sought  comfort  and  rest  and 
water  among  their  unhurt  brothers.  Men  with  one  leg  trailing 
on  the  earth  behind  them,  others  with  shattered  shoulders  or  torn 
entrails,  or  ghastly  flesh-wounds,  or  with  smashed  jaws,  or  with  eyes 
shot  out,  would  crawl,  walk,  or  be  led  into  our  ranks,  where  they 
would  sink  beside  us  and  murmur:  "lam  glad  to  get  home  to  you ; 
it  was  hell  itself,  boys."  And  they  would  sink  into  sleep  or  death. 

"  '  We  were  awake  early  the  next  morning,  to  discover  that 
the  Yankees  had  crossed  the  river  during  the  night,  and  were 
probably  well  on  their  way  towards  Nashville.  We  were  mighty 
glad  they  had  gone.  Hood  seemed  to  be  stupefied  at  the  disaster 
that  had  befallen  us.  He  allowed  his  discouraged  army  to  remain 
in  camp  by  that  bloody  battle-field.  The  men,  already  dispirited 
and  doubtful  of  his  ability  as  a  commander,  were  permitted  to 
roam  at  will  over  the  corpse-strewn  field.  I  never  before  or  after 
saw  such  a  frightful  battle-ground.  Many  of  the  dead  were  shot 
to  shreds.  And  I  saw  scores  of  men  who  had  been  wounded — 
legs  broken,  probably — who  had  put  their  thumbs  into  their 
mouths  and  had  chewed  them  into  shreds  to  keep  from  crying, 
coward-like,  as  they  lay  exposed  to  the  merciless  fire  of  the 
Yankees,  waiting  for  death  to  keep  them  from  voicing  their  fear. 

"  'Franklin  was  the  only  battle-ground  I  ever  saw  where  the 
faces  of  the  majority  of  the  dead  expressed  supreme  fear  and  ter- 
ror. Dead  men's  faces  were  drawn  away.  Their  eyes  were  wide 
open  and  fear-staring.  Their  very  attitude  as  they  lay  prone  upon 
the  ground,  with  extended,  earth-clutching  fingers,  and  with  their 
faces  partially  buried  in  the  soil,  told  the  tale  of  mental  agony 
they  had  endured  before  death  released  them.  And  then  the 
chewed  thumbs,  showing  the  direful  necessity  they  had  to  brace 
themselves  to  receive  death,  was  inexpressibly  affecting. 

"  'The  repeated  disasters  we  had  encountered  under  Hood  had 
dampened  our  ardor.  The  unwise  rambling  of  our  men  over  the  bat- 
tle-field of  Franklin  broke  their  spirit.  We  could  not  fight  at  Nash- 
ville ;  we  lost  that  fight  because  the  specter  of  Franklin,  livid  with 
distorted  features,  ^with  blood-streaming  wounds,  with  ghastly, 
horror-stricken  eyes,  chewing  and  crunching  its  thumb,  stalked 
among  us.  It  was  in  the  columns  as  we  marched ;  it  rode  astride 
of  the  Napoleon  guns;  it  sat  by  our  camp-fires;  it  stood  in  the 
trenches  at  Nashville;  it  lay  in  the  rifle-pits  o' nights.' 


480  FRANK  WILKESON. 

"Thomas  ceased  talking  and  looked  intently  and  sorrowfully 
into  the  fire  as  though  he  were  searching  for  the  faces  of  the  com- 
rades he  had  lost.  I  did  not  intrude  on  his  grief,  but  quietly 
rolled  myself  in  my  blankets  and  lay  down — not  to  sleep,  but  to 
think  of  the  horrors  of  the  war,  and  of  the  bloody  fields  in  Vir- 
ginia, on  which  I  had  worked  at  the  cannon's  muzzle. 

"FRANK  WILKESON." 

Erom  the  last  statement  in  Thomas's  account,  it 
appears  that  we  whipped  the  Confederates  at  Nash- 
ville before  we  left  Franklin.  We  did  have  pretty  much 
our  own  way  at  Nashville,  although  all  the  conditions 
were  reversed ;  we  were  the  assailants,  and  our  foe  had 
the  advantage  of  the  rifle-pits,  trenches,  and  breast- 
works. But  our  forces  had  been  greatly  augmented 
since  the  battle  of  Franklin,  while  those  of  the  enemy 
had  been  greatly  depleted  in  that  engagement,  and  the 
fight,  taken  out  of  what  forces  remained  to  him,  with 
no  resources  to  draw  upon  for  re-enforcements  to  aid 
them.  The  work  was  growing,  constantly  increasing 
on  their  hands,  while  the  number  of  hands  to  do  that 
work  was  constantly  and  rapidly  diminishing.  It  is 
not  difficult  to  point  out  that  portion  of  the  Confeder- 
ate soldier's  account  of  the  battle  of  Franklin  in  which 
he  describes  the  contest,  at  the  point  where  the 
"Yankee  reserve,"  Opdycke's  brigade  got  in  its  work. 
Just  here  we  make  a  brief  extract  from  an  article  in 
Locke  s  National  Monthly  Magazine  of  May,  1876.  The 
article  was  prepared  by  the  Rev.  H.  M.  Bacon,  who, 
probably,  was  a  chaplain  in  the  23d  Corps.  We  quote 
as  follows : 

"  Everything  was  in  commotion ;  everything  on  that  warm, 
beautiful  Indian  summer  day,  indicated  the  approaching  conflict. 
Our  rear  guard,  Opdycke's  brigade,  reached  Franklin  about 
noon.  .  .  .  Hood  saw  Nashville  fairly  in  his  grasp,  if  he 


BACON  AND  STONE.  481 

could  but  maintain  the  ground  of  which  he  was  in  actual  posses- 
sion. Perhaps  he  might  have  held  it,  if  Opdycke's  brigade  had 
not  been  at  hand  in  the  very  nick  of  time  and  on  the  very  spot 
where  it  was  needed.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  Opdycke  saved  the 
day,  and  turned  the  tide  of  battle.  ...  I  remember  the 
very  night  of  the  battle,  when  all  was  over,  just  after  crossing  the 
bridge,  when  Opdycke's  brigade  marched  through  our  division, 
how  gladly  we  gave  way  to  them,  how  we  cheered  and  congratu- 
lated, and  praised  and  thanked  them!  We  were  proud  of  them, 
and  are  so  still.  They  saved  the  day,  and  no  one  denies  it." 

In  the  August  number  of  the  Century  Magazine, 
year  1887,  appeared  an  article  written  by  Colonel 
Henry  Stone,  of  Boston,  from  which  we  make  a  brief 
extract : 

' '  It  was  near  daybreak  when  the  last  wagon  left  Spring  Hill. 
Kimball's  division  followed  Wood's,  and  at  four  o'clock  Wagner 
drew  in  his  lines,  his  skirmishers  remaining  till  it  was  fairly  day- 
light. The  rear  guard  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Emerson  Op- 
dycke, who  was  prepared,  if  necessary,  to  sacrifice  the  last  man  to 
secure  the  safety  of  the  main  body.  So  efficiently  did  his  admira- 
ble brigade  do  its  work,  that  though  surrounded  by  a  cloud  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  which  made  frequent  dashes  at  its  lines,  not  a 
straggler  or  a  wagon  was  left  behind.  .  .  .  The  head  of  the 
column,  under  General  Cox,  reached  the  outskirts  of  Franklin 
about  the  same  hour  the  rear  guard  was  leaving  Spring  Hill." 

It  sufficiently  appears  from  all  the  foregoing  as  to  how 
and  when  we  reached  Nashville.  We  will  copy  entire 
a  letter  and  its  inclosure,  lately  received  from  a  very 
near  and  dear  friend  and  comrade,  one  who  passed  with 
us  through  some  seasons  of  peculiar  trial  and  privation 
while  escaping  by  night,  in  midwinter,  from  Confeder- 
ate prisons.  During  the  time  spent  in  making  the 
escape,  and  since,  in  many  ways,  this  comrade,  Mr.  L. 
B.  Smith,  of  Dundee,  Michigan,  has  encouraged  and 
supported  us.  We  did  not  dream  that  he  would  come 
to  our  rescue  in  this  instance  by  overhauling  standard 

31 


482  SCHMUCKER  'S  A CCO UNT. 

histories  to  find  something  bearing  on  the  points  we 
have  been  considering.  The  letter  and  selection  are 
here  given: 

"  DUNDEE,  MICHIGAN,  December  3,  1888. 
"  W.  H.  NEWLIN,  Danville,  Illinois : 

"  DEAR  FRIEND  AND  COMRADE, — Yours  of  November  28th  re- 
ceived. In  regard  to  the  battle  of  Franklin,  I  do  not  know  any- 
thing from  experience,  as  our  division  (General  Long's  2d  Cavalry) 
was  back  at  Louisville,  getting  re-mounted.  Therefore,  all  that  I 
know  is  what  I  have  read  in  history,  and  what  has  been  told  me  by 
comrades  that  were  there.  As  I  have  some  histories  of  the  Civil 
(or  rather  uncivil)  War,  I  looked  them  up  about  the  above  named 
battle,  or  rather  Opdycke's  brigade ;  and  in  Samuel  M.  Schmucker, 
LL.  D.,  revised  by  Dr.  L.  P.  Brocket,  I  find  the  statement  in- 
closed. As  a  history  of  the  Rebellion  I  think  it  the  best  I  have 
ever  seen.  I  believe  the  battle  of  Franklin  was  as  hard  fought  as 
any  of  the  war ;  and  the  killed  and  wounded  as  great  in  propor- 
tion to  the  numbers  engaged.  Hood  reported  it  as  a  victory,  as 
Schofield  retreated  during  the  night  to  Nashville,  leaving  his  dead 
and  wounded  on  the  field — but  if  a  victory,  dearly  bought,  and 
almost  ruinous  in  its  consequences.  His  killed  numbered  accord- 
ing to  official  report,  1,750,  his  wounded  3,807,  and  seven  hundred 
captured ;  one  major-general  and  five  brigadier-generals  killed  ;  six 
generals  wounded,  and  General  Gordon  captured.  The  Union 
troops  captured  thirty-three  stands  of  colors.  I  believe  General 
Stanley  was  the  only  general  on  our  side  wounded.  I  would  like 
to  give  you  more  information,  but  I  am  glad  I  was  not  there. 

"Yours  truly,  L.  B.  SMITH." 

[NOTE. — The  statement  or  selection  from  Schmucker  is  as  follows :] 

' '  As  the  rebels  advanced,  the  Union  troops  opened  a  heavy  and 
destructive  cannonade  upon  them ;  and  as  they  came  nearer  in 
dense  lines,  four  deep,  the  deadly  grape  and  canister,  and  a  severe 
musketry  fire  at  short  range,  made  fearful  havoc  with  them.  But 
though  the  deadly  missiles  cut  wide  swaths  in  their  advancing 
columns,  they  struggled  on,  and  at  last  Maury's  division  of  Cheat- 
ham's  corps,  reached  the  Union  outworks,  held  by  Wagner's  divis- 
ion, and  after  a  fierce  struggle  drove  it  back  upon  the'  second  and 
stronger  line,  held  by  Cox's  and  Ruger's  divisions  of  the  23d  Corps. 
Withdrawing  a  short  distance,  and  re-forming  their  lines,  the  rebel 


"FIRST  BRIGADE!  ATTENTION!!"  483 

troops  flung  themselves  with  great  fury  upon  the  second  line,  and 
after  a  desperate  and  terrible  contest  forced  their  way  inside  of  it 
also,  and  captured  two  guns.  At  this  critical  moment,  when 
the  tide  of  battle  seemed  turned  against  the  Union  forces,  General 
David  8.  Stanley,  the  commander  of  the  4th  Corps,  put  himself 
at  the  head  of  Opdycke's  brigade,  with  Conrad's  in  support,  and, 
rushing  with  intense  energy  upon  the  enemy,  after  a  fierce  hand- 
to-hand  encounter,  with  bayonets  and  clubbed  muskets,  succeeded 
in  driving  them  out  of  the  works,  though  not  until  he  himself 
had  been  severely  wounded." 

We  close  this  chapter  by  giving  the  order  of  Colonel 
Opdycke,  complimenting  his  brigade  for  its  work  at  the 
battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864 : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  1st  BRIGADE,  2d  Division,  4th  ARMY  CORPS,  \ 
"  NASHVILLE,  TENNESSEE,  December  10, 1864.         J 

"  OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OP  THE  IST  BRIGADE, — Your  recent 
achievements  in  the  terrible  battle  of  Franklin  commanded  my 
profound  thanks  and  admiration.  When  the  furious  masses  of  the 
enemy  had  stormed  and  carried  our  main  works,  at  the  key-point 
of  our  whole  position,  and  was  driving  our  other  forces  in  confu- 
sion, you  rushed  grandly  and  defiantly  forward;  your  bayonets 
gleaming  iu  the  sunlight,  assailed  the  victorious  foe,  crushed  him 
beneath  your  mighty  energies;  captured  394  prisoners,  nineteen  of 
whom  were  officers,  9  rebel  flags,  re-took  the  colors  of  a  regiment 
belonging  to  a  less  fortunate  but  friendly  brigade ;  re-took  8 
pieces  of  artillery,  and  worked  them  with  awful  havoc  on  the  deep 
columns  of  the  enemy ;  restored  our  lines  and  saved  the  army 
from  disastrous  overthrow.  Generals  Wagner,  Cox,  Wood,  and 
Schofield  each  have  asserted  that  the  '  1st  Brigade  saved  the  day,' 
and  even  the  immortal  Thomas  said,  '  From  what  they  tell  me, 
Colonel,  your  brigade  saved  the  day.'  Shoulder  to  shoulder,  dis- 
cipline and  valor  must  always  triumph.  Your  fame  is  high ; 
defend  it  and  maintain  it,  or  die  gloriously  in  the  effort.  It  is  an 
honor  to  belong  to  the  1st  Brigade.  Let  us  mingle  our  tears  over 
our  fallen  comrades. 

"EMERSON  OPDYCKE,  Colonel  Commanding." 


484  A  FRESH  START. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

REST   AND    PREPARATION TWO    DAYS'   BATTLES     AT     NASHVILLE — 

RAIN,  MUD,  AND  BAD  ROADS — PURSUIT  OF  HOOD'S  DEMORAL- 
•  ALIZED  FORCES — CHRISTMAS — MARCH  TO  HUNTSVILLE — WINTER 
QUARTERS — BY  RAIL  TO  EAST  TENNESSEE — REPAIRING  RAIL- 
ROAD— END  OF  THE  WAR — DEATH  OF  A.  LINCOLN — BY  RAIL 
TO  NASHVILLE — MUSTER  OUT— JOURNEY  TO  SPRINGFIELD — 
FINAL  PAYMENT — DISBANDMENT. 

As  we  have  learned  from  the  last  two  preceding 
chapters,  the  4th  Army  Corps,  as  well  as  some  others, 
was  kept  very  busy  during  the  summer  and  fall  of 
1864.  Barely  three  weeks'  rest — not  more  than  two 
weeks  after  deducting  time  taken  in  fixing  up  quarters 
and  camp  at  Atlanta,  was  obtained  there.  The  retreat 
from  Franklin  during  the  early  hours  of  December  1st 
has  already  been  incidentally  and  perhaps  sufficiently 
treated.  A  more  wearied  or  more  nearly  exhausted  body 
of  soldiers  never  marched,  or  trudged,  or  stumbled  along 
a  public  highway,  in  any  war.  Of  sleep  that  was  at  all 
restful  and  invigorating  we  had  been  deprived  for  three 
nights  and  days.  Incessant  watchfulness,  and  active 
duty  had  entirely  employed  our  time,  which,  with  the 
demands  upon  us,  occasioned  by  the  great  and  perilous 
emergency  at  Franklin,  left  us  at  the  end  of  our  phys- 
ical strength.  From  10.30  to  11.30  P.M.,  or  fully  one 
hour  at  about  that  time,  the  night  of  November  30th, 
was  spent  in  withdrawing  the  regiment  from  Franklin, 
and  the  wearied,  jaded  men  kept  arriving  at  Nashville 
from  about  ten  A.  M.  to  two  P.  M.  of  December  1st. 


UP  AT  FOUR  O'CLOCK  A.  M.  485 

A  stray  shot,  or  at  least  a  shot  aimed  for  another, 
struck  James  W.  Ashmore,  of  Company  C,  in  the  fore- 
head, killing  him  instantly,  on  December  3d.  If  not 
the  first,  this  casualty  was  among  the  first  that  was  in- 
flicted on  our  forces  in  front  of  Nashville  by  the  enemy. 
Ashmore  was  a  dutiful  soldier,  tried  and  true. 

The  winter  season  was  now  again  at  hand,  as  was 
also  Hood's  army,  making  a  sort  of  pretense  of  invest- 
ment of  Nashville.  This  state  of  affairs  could  not  be 
long  permitted  to  exist.  From  December  1st  to  15th, 
General  Thomas  was  diligently  at  work  raising  and 
mounting  a  cavalry  force,  receiving  and  placing  re-en- 
forcements in  position,  and  otherwise  equipping  and  pre- 
paring his  army  to  take  the  offensive,  as  soon  as  the 
ice  and  snow  "  embargo,"  was  broken.  There  was  a 
prospect  of  much  work  ahead,  and  as  busy  a  time  for 
the  winter  months  as  had  been  experienced  during  the 
summer  and  fall.  The  preparations  and  the  "  embargo  " 
ended  by  or  on  the  date  last  above  mentioned,  and 
offensive  operations  were  promptly  begun  by  General 
Thomas.  We  will  note  as  closely  as  possible  the 
movements  of  the  73d,  nearly  all  of  which  were  made 
in  conjunction  with  the  other  regiments  of  the  brigade 
and  division. 

On  December  15,  1864,  we  arose  at  four  o'clock,  got 
breakfast  out  of  the  way,  and  had  everything  needful 
packed  and  in  order,  ready  to  march  at  six  o'clock. 
We  were  called  into  line  at  seven,  remained  in  position 
thirty  minutes,  waiting  for  a  heavy  fog  to  lift.  The 
4th  Corps  moved  out  in  front  of  our  works,  which  we 
no  longer  needed,  and  hoped  to  have  no  use  for.  The 
16th  Corps  joined  on  to  our  right ;  the  23d  Corps  was 
in  reserve  to  the  rear  of  the  16th,  and  to  the  right  of  the 


486 


BATTLE  OF  NASHVILLE. 


16th  Corps  all  the  cavalry  was  placed  in  position.  To  the 
left  of  the  4th  Corps  were  two  brigades  of  colored  and 
one  division  of  white  troops,  commanded  by  General 
Steadman.  All  being  ready,  a  grand  left  wheel  move- 
ment was  commenced,  with  the  left  of  the  4th  Corps  rest- 
ing on  our  old  works.  The  16th  Corps  and  the  cavalry 
division  soon  engaged  the  enemy's  pickets  and  drove  them 
back.  General  Steadman  made  a  heavy  demonstration  in 

his  front,  going  right  up 
to  the  fortifications  of 
the  enemy.  Soon  A.  J. 
Smith  had  pressed  the 
enemy's  pickets  back 
to  his  main  line  of 
works,  and  succeeded 
also  in  turning  his  left 
wing.  At  four  P.  M. 
a  charge  was  ordered 
to  be  made  to  our  front. 
We  carried  the  line  of 
rebel  works,  capturing 
three  guns  and  many  prisoners.  This  turned  their  entire 
line,  throwing  us  at  right  angles  across  the  enemy's 
works.  At  7.30  P.  M.  we  bivouacked  for  the  night, 
three  miles  south  of  the  city  of  Nashville,  on  ground 
that  was  occupied  by  the  rebels  one  hour  previously. 
The  left  wing  of  the  rebel  army,  which  rested  on  the 
river  below  Nashville,  had  been  driven  eight  miles. 
The  cavalry  division  captured  General  Chalmers's  head- 
quarters wagons,  and  also  another  train  of  twenty 
wagons,  with  from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  pris- 
oners, and  sixteen  pieces  of  artillery.  The  73d,  not 
being  in  the  front  line,  did  no  firing,  but  was  exposed 


GENERAI,  GEORGE   H.   THOMAS. 


ADVANCED  AT  DAYBREAK.  487 

at  times  during  the  day  to  a  heavy  fire  from  the  ene- 
my's batteries.  Taken  altogether,  the  results  of  the 
day's  operations  were  quite  satisfactory.  Frequent 
movement  and  change  of  position,  each  time  to  the 
front,  was  the  full  extent  of  the  part  performed  by  the 
73d  in  the  day's  labors,  and  no  casualties  were  suffered 
by  the  regiment.  We  did  not  comfort  ourselves,  how- 
ever, with  the  expectation  that  we  should  be  similarly 
favored  next  day ;  perhaps  recalling  the  experience  at 
Chickamauga,  and  possibly  counting  on  paying  to-mor- 
row for  the  exemptions  of  to-day. 

At  daybreak  on  the  16th  we  were  on  the  move,  and 
in  the  same  order  as  on  the  15th.  After  advancing 
one-half  mile,  we  found  the  rebel  pickets.  We  soon 
pushed  them  back  and  got  our  artillery  in  an  advan- 
tageous position,  and  proceeded  to  "  shell  the  woods," 
vigorously,  and  got  reply  from  the  enemy's  guns.  It 
was  soon  ascertained  that  the  rebels  had  erected  a  new 
line  of  works,  with  left  resting  on  a  range  of  hills  about 
five  miles  from  Nashville,  and  their  right  across  the 
Franklin  pike,  extending  to  a  hill  which  in  some  meas- 
ure protected  that  flank.  At  eleven  A.  M.  we  pressed 
our  lines  close  up  to  theirs,  and  hastily  erected  a  line 
of  earth-works.  In  this  charge  Company  H  lost  one 
man  killed.  The  36th  and  44th  Illinois  were  in  the 
front  line,  and  had  quite  a  number  of  men  wounded.  The 
16th  and  23d  Corps  massed  on  the  enemy's  left,  and 
charged  his  line  of  works,  and  carried  them  in  splendid 
style.  At  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  4th  Corps  moved  for- 
ward its  front  line  on  a  charge,  and  drove  the  rebels  in 
utter  confusion  from  their  intrenchments,  and  such  was 
the  irresistible  tide  of  battle  that  their  entire  line  of  de- 
fenses was  taken  from  them,  also  thirty  pieces  of  artillery 


488  A  COMPLETE  VICTORY. 

and  over  three  thousand  prisoners.  The  works  and  woods 
Were  literally  strewn  with  small  arms  thrown  away  by 
the  rebels  in  the  great  hurry  of  their  flight.  We  had 
now  a  superabundance  of  fire-arms  and  other  material, 
and  little  use  for  either,  as  the  rebels  were  leaving  behind 
all  incumbrances,  and  striking  out  for  a  safe  place,  or 
surrendering.  We  kept  on  in  our  pursuit  until  after  dark, 
then  halted,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night  near  the  Frank- 
lin pike,  six  miles  south  of  Nashville.  The  achievements 
of  the  day  were  beyond  expectation ;  the  victory  was 
not  only  complete  and  decisive,  but  accomplished  with 
small  loss,  and  secured  the  total  rout  and  almost  entire 
destruction  of  Hood's  force.* 

The  final  charge  at  Nashville  proved  to  be  the 
finishing  stroke  to  the  rebellion  in  the  West.  It  was 
a  grand  and  majestic  charge.  In  the  73d,  the  casual- 
ties were  few  and  slight ;  in  addition  to  the  one  man 
killed,  there  were  probably  a  dozen  wounded.  The 
enemy  hugged  his  works  so  closely  that  his  fire  passed 
above  our  heads,  and  owing  to  the  momentum  of  the 
charge  our  heads  were  perhaps  lowered  by  being  pro- 


*  A  few  days  prior  to  the  initiation  of  the  offensive  movement  by 
General  Thomas,  a  company  of  pioneers  was  formed  by  detailing  one 
private  from  each  company  of  the  regiment,  one  sergeant,  one  corporal, 
and  a  cook.  The  writer,  W.  H.  Newlin,  was  placed  in  command  of 
this  company,  each  member  of  which  was  required  to  carry  an  imple- 
ment or  tool,  in  addition  to  what  the  other  soldiers  carried,  either  a 
pick,  ax,  or  spade,  to  be  used  in  building  and  throwing  up  works 
hastily  in  an  emergency,  if  necessary.  This  pioneer  company  held  po- 
sition on  the  right  of  the  line,  to  the  right  of  Company  A.  When  the 
brigade  was  formed  in  readiness  for  joining  in  what  proved  to  be  the 
final  charge,  December  16th,  General  Thomas  rode  along  the  entire 
front  of  the  brigade,  and  on  reaching  the  extreme  right  of  the  73d, 
halted  and  asked  what  regiment  it  was.  On  being  told  by  us  what 
regiment  it  was,  he  said  by  way  of  encouragement,  to  put  forth  our 
best  efforts  in  the" assault  soon  to  be  made:  "Remember  Franklin;  do 
as  you  did  at  Franklin." 


LIVELY,  ''HUSTLING"  TIME.  489 

jected  forward.  On  our  reaching  the  works,  those  of 
the  enemy  who  did  not  surrender,  fled  with  precipitate 
haste.  With  the  utmost  enthusiasm,  our  troops  pursued 
the  flying  enemy.  The  colors  of  the  several  regiments 
were  unfurled,  held  aloft,  and  borne  rapidly  forward, 
surrounded,  preceded,  and  followed  by  our  soldiers 
singly,  in  knots,  and  in  groups,  all  wildly  cheering  as 
they  hurried  forward,  but  saying  nothing  to  the  rebels 
who  were  flying  disarmed,  panic-stricken,  and  ragged 
to  our  rear.  Our  officers,  both  field  and  line,  were 
altogether  useless  and  unheeded;  each  man  was  yelling 
and  pursuing  on  his  "  own  hook,"  in  a  command  all  by 
himself,  but  co-operating  with  several  other  commands 
as  independent  as  his  own. 

Late  in  the  afternoon  rain  began  to  fall  and  con- 
tinued to  fall  until  after  night.  As  a  consequence  the 
ground  became  soft  and  muddy  in  the  fields,  and  the 
movement  of  troops  and  artillery  was  attended  with 
much  difficulty,  and  at  the  best  our  pursuit  of  the  flee- 
ing Confederates  would  be  slow. 

On  the  morning  of  December  17th.  we  were  up  at 
daylight,  and  at  eight  o'clock  were  ready  to  move. 
Started  immediately,  taking  the  Franklin  pike.  The 
cavalry  were  in  front,  overtook  the  enemy's  rear,  and 
skirmished  at  several  points.  Two  hundred  and  four 
prisoners  and  two  battle-flags  were  captured,  and  passed 
us,  going  to  the  rear.  Some  of  these  prisoners  were 
barefooted,  plodding  through  the  mud  and  slop.  Near 
Brentwood  the  rebels  undertook  to  check  our  advance, 
but  were  unable  to  make  a  stand  and  were  pushed 
back  rapidly.  The  road-side  was  strewn  with  guns, 
artillery  ammunition,  and  other  material.  At  four 
P.  M.  we  halted,  and  went  into  camp  north  of  the 


490  AT  FRANKLIN  A  GAIN. 

Harpeth  River,  one  mile  from  Franklin.  We  stopped 
earlier  than  we  should  have  done  had  the  bridge  across 
the  Harpeth  not  been  destroyed.  The  railroad  bridge 
across  the  river  at  Franklin  was  burned  by  the  enemy 
on  his  retreat.  The  query  may  suggest  itself,  why 
did  not  our  forces  destroy  these  bridges  on  falling  back 
from  Franklin?  One  reason  that  may  be  assigned  is, 
that  our  forces  had  no  objection  to  being  pursued; 
rather  expected  to  be  pursued,  and  would  have  been 
disappointed  had  they  not  been  followed  to  Nashville. 
Hood  had  been  all  along  singularly  successful  in  play- 
ing into  our  hands,  and  this  case  was  no  exception  to 
the  general  rule.  The  wagon  bridge  was  soon  replaced 
by  the  pioneers. 

We  were  up  early  on  Sunday,  December  18th,  and 
Lieutenant  Til-ton,  and  Captain  Kyger  and  others,  took 
an  early  start,  going  to  Franklin  to  ascertain  about  our 
wounded  left  at  that  place  November  30th ;  it  having 
been  reported  that  they  were  still  there,  and  not 
paroled.  Two  of  the  73d — Stewart  F.  Hoskinson,  of 
Company  G,  and  James  M.  Branch,  of  Company  D — 
were  found  at  the  church,  where  they  had  been  left 
November  30th;  both  were  doing  fairly  well.  Corporal 
Joseph  A.  Allison,  of  Company  C,  died  of  his  wound 
December  10th.  Zenas  Fulton,  of  same  company, 
could  not  be  found,  and  must  have  been  among  the 
killed  or  mortally  wounded.  From  2,500  to  3,000  of 
the  enemy's  wounded  were  likewise  found  at  Franklin, 
and,  of  course,  became  prisoners  in  our  hands. 

Tilton  and  Kyger,  while  waiting  for  the  regiment  to 
come  along,  visited  the  battle-field,  and  learned  that  our 
dead  had  been  buried  in  the  trenches  made  in  throwing 
up  the  earth-works,  with  no  board  or  other  mark  to  sig- 


AT  R UTHERFORD 'S  CREEK.  491 

nify  that  the  bodies  of  soldiers  slain  in  battle  were 
covered  there.  This  information  was  imparted  by 
negro  women.  The  bodies  of  the  rebel  dead  were 
buried  on  the  field  where  they  fell,  but  placed  in  rows, 
with  head-boards  at  the  graves,  with  name,  company, 
and  regiment  of  soldiers  marked  thereon.  The  appear- 
ances alone,  without  making  an  actual  count  of  graves, 
suggested  to  those  who  examined  the  battle-field,  now 
one  vast  graveyard,  the  possible  fact  that  the  rebel  loss 
in  killed  at  Franklin  would  exceed  three  thousand  rather 
than  fall  below  that  number.  Kyger,  Tilton,  and  others, 
who  had  been  surveying  the  burial-ground,  joined  the 
regiment  in  column  of  march  nearly  a  mile  south  of 
Franklin. 

We  marched  sixteen  miles  over  muddy,  sloppy  roads 
on  this  date,  and  went  into  camp  near  Poplar  Grove  at 
eight  P.  M.  Rain  fell  during  the  greater  part  of  the 
day.  Three  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  few  prisoners, 
captured  by  our  cavalry  late  on  the  17th,  passed  us, 
going  to  the  rear.  Word  was  given  out  that  Hood  was 
continuing  his  retreat  as  rapidly  as  possible. 

We  were  up  at  daylight  and  ready  to  march  by  sun- 
rise of  December  19th.  Got  started  by  eight  o'clock. 
Our  cavalry  came  up  with  the  enemy's  rear  at  Ruther- 
ford's Creek.  He  had  burned  the  bridges,  and  taken 
position  on  south  bank  of  the  creek,  to  dispute  and 
delay  our  crossing.  At  eleven  A.  M.  a  ball  came  over 
and  killed  a  man  of  the  15th  Missouri,  who  was  in  the 
line  in  front  of  us,  our  position  being  in  line,  to  the 
right  of  the  pike.  Soon  after  this  we  moved  to  the 
left  of  pike,  nearer  the  creek.  It  was  still  raining  at 
three  P.  M.,  and  the  creek  still  rising.  Attempts  were 
made  to  fell  trees  across  the  stream,  and  thus  bridge  it, 


492  A  CONTRAST. 

but  failed  to  get  the  trees  to  lodge  on  opposite  bank. 
At  dusk  the  rain  ceased,  and  we  went  into  cainp,  built 
up  fires,  and  dried  our  clothing  and  blankets,  and  made 
what  dispositions  we  could  to  get  a  good  night's  rest. 
As  our  movement  from  Nashville,  in  pursuit  of  the 
rebels,  through  rain  and  mud,  had  been  attended  with 
so  much  discomfort  and  hardship,  when  we  had  the  con- 
sciousness of  having  won  a  sweeping  victory  to  buoy  us 
up  and  tend  to  make  our  trials  seem  insignificant  and 
unnoticeable,  we  could  but  imagine  how  sorely  the 
rebels  must  have  felt  on  their  retreat.  Their  advance 
northward  had  been  made  with  such  eclat,  boasting,  and 
exultation  as  to  the  many  and  great  things  they  would 
accomplish,  and  their  failure  was  so  utterly  great,  how 
bitter  their  disappointment  must  have  been,  we  can 
scarcely  conceive.  But  they  made  a  great  mistake  in 
not  improving  their  opportunity  at  Spring.  Hill,  or  in 
going  to  war  at  all.  At  Spring  Hill  was  one  place 
where  they  put  oft"  till  morning  what  ought  to  have 
been  attended  to  at  night,  allowing  that  Confederate 
success  would  possibly  be  a  good  thing  for  even  the 
Confederates  themselves. 

During  the  night  of  December  19th  the  clouds 
cleared  away,  and  there  was  quite  a  frost  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  20th.  The  pioneers  started  early  to  build  a 
bridge,  so  that  we  might  cross  the  creek,  the  waters  of 
which  were  still  high.  Bridge  was  so  nearly  completed 
that  we  got  across  the  stream,  Rutherford's  Creek,  by 
noon,  and  we  camped  that  night  to  the  left  of  the  pike, 
near  the  north  bank  of  Duck  River.  Before  we  got 
our  tents  up  it  began  raining,  and  the t weather  being 
quite  cool,  a  heavy  sleet  formed,  making  it  very  dis- 


AT  D UCK  RIVER.  493 

agreeable  for  us.  No  fighting  in  the  advance  on  this 
date.  The  small  show  of  resistance  at  Rutherford's 
Creek  had  been  made  to  gain  time,  which,  little  as  it 
was,  the  rebels  had  made  the  best  use  of,  by  scamper- 
ing in  light  "skedaddling"  order  to  the  next  natural 
obstruction  to  our  advance.  As  soon  as  the  main  body 
of  rebels  got  across  Duck  River  their  rear  guard  with- 
drew and  hurried  itself  from  Rutherford's  Creek,  being 
so  closely  pushed  by  o.ur  advance  as  to  allow  of  no 
delay  on  their  part  at  Duck  River. 

Duck  River  was  running  bank-full  of  water  at  the 
time  we  reached  it,  and  on  the  morning  of  December 
21st  snow  began  falling,  which  melted  and  ran  off, 
maintaining  the  water  at  flood  height,  almost,  in  the 
river,  and  our  pontoon  train  having  taken  the  wrong 
road  from  Nashville,  and  been  otherwise  delayed,  we 
were  compelled  to  wait  over  one  day.  We  lay  idly  in 
camp  until  it  was  certain  we  should  stop  there  until  the 
next  morning.  Then  many  of  the  officers  set  about 
securing  straw  and  making  other  preparations  for  spend- 
ing the  night  comfortably.  High  winds  and  cold 
weather  prevailed  on  Thursday,  December  22d.  The 
pontoons  arrived,  and  were  immediately  laid.  Fifteen 
"  Johnnies "  were  taken  in  by  a  squad  that  was  sent 
across  the  river  early  in  small  boats. 

Shortly  after  dark  we  received  orders  to  be  ready 
to  cross  the  river  at  any  time,  but  not  to  strike  tents 
until  further  notice  from  brigade  head-quarters.  At 
10.30  this  notice  was  given,  and  at  eleven  P.  M.  we 
crossed  over  the  bridge,  and  on  going  a  short  distance 
were  halted  in  a  brier-patch  at  1.45  A.  M.,  December 
23d.  It  seemed  always  to  be  our  luck  to  cross  Duck 


494  PUSHING  THE  ENEMY. 

River  in  the  night;  still  we  were  not  so  badly  "put 
out"  about  it  in  this  instance,  as  it  was  entirely  on  our 
own  motion. 

Daylight  of  December  23d  found  all  astir  in  camp. 
The  mess-wagon  of  the  officers  having  been  left  north 
of  the  river,  there  was  some  little  anxiety  on  their 
part  about  breakfast.  The  enlisted  men,  however,  soon 
bridged  this  little  difficulty  by  dividing — sharing  their 
breakfasts  with  their  officers.  The  brier-patch  was 
leveled,  broken  down  in  great  measure,  by  the  time  the 
boys  brought  rails  and  started  good  fires.  We  received 
the  benefit  of  our  fires,  as  we  did  not  march  until  after- 
noon. The  cannonading  in  the  advance  could  be  plainly 
heard,  though  the  distance  was  considerable,  as  our 
cavalry  kept  the  rebels  going.  The  motto  with  our 
cavalry,  or  those  in  command  of  it,  seemed  to  be,  "  No 
rest  for  the  wicked,"  or  the  righteous  either.  On 
starting,  we  passed  through  Columbia,  and  marched  six 
miles  southward  from  that  point,  and  went  into  camp 
in  a  field  to  the  left  of  the  pike.  The  weather  had  be- 
come milder  and  more  agreeable.  Fourteen  prisoners 
were  brought  in  during  the  day,  and  sent  on  to  our 
rear.  The  officers'  mess-wagon  was  still  behind,  but 
the  men  as  usual  came  to  the  rescue  and  divided  rations 
with  them. 

We  resumed  the  march,  December  24th,  at  eight 
A.  M.  The  sky  was  almost  clear,  and  there  was  a 
white  frost,  on  the  morning  of  this  date.  Our  march 
was  frequently  interrupted,  or  delayed  rather,  by  the 
stubbornness  of  the  resistance  the  enemy  was  making 
to  our  advance.  His  retreat  was  being  covered  both  by 
cavalry  and  infantry.  We  went  into  camp  in  a  heavy 
woods  on  the  right  of  the  pike,  three  miles  south 


ARRIVE  AT  PULASKL  495 

of  Lynnville,  at  sunset.  Mess-wagon  not  up,  and  the 
officers  had  to  fall  back  on  the  unfailing  generosity  of 
the  men.  Sixty  odd  prisoners  were  captured  during 
the  day.  This  prisoner  business  was  getting  a  little 
monotonous.  This  query  was  suggested :  Where  will 
we  be  this  time  next  year  ? — Christmas-eve  calling  up 
thoughts  of  home  and  by-gone  days. 

On  Christmas  morning  we  arose  at  daylight,  finding 
the  sky  clear  and  the  weather  pleasant.  The  officers' 
mess  borrowed  crackers  of  the  44th  Illinois,  for  break- 
fast; these,  with  coffee,  meat,  and  molasses,  made  a 
fair  Christmas  breakfast  for  soldiers  about  entering  on  the 
latter  half  of  their  third  year  of  service.  At  8.30  A.  M. 
we  started,  taking  the  pike,  and  moving  on  Pulaski. 
We  arrived  there  at  three  P.  M.  The  place  presented 
quite  a  different  appearance  from  that  of  November  22d, 
the  day  we  left  there  for  Nashville.  There  were  but  few 
citizens  left  in  the  town ;  stores  were  left  open,  and 
abandoned ;  part  of  the  citizens  went  north  with  us  on 
our  retreat,  and  part  of  the  remainder  went  south  with 
the  rebels  on  their  retreat.  Those  that  did  not  retreat, 
stayed  at  home.  A  large  quantity  of  ammunition  was 
destroyed  by  the  enemy  at  this  point ;  two  short  trains 
of  cars,  which  he  had  been  running  back  and  forth  be- 
tween Pulaski  and  Nashville,  were  burned.  Enemy 
also  attempted  to  burn  the  bridge  across  Richland  Creek, 
but  he  was  too  slow;  our  cavalry  got  up  in  time  to  ex- 
tinguish the  fire  and  save  the  bridge,  the  roof  only 
being  slightly  injured.  We  turned  off  the  pike,  crossed 
the  creek,  and  kept  on  in  nearly  a  due  western  direc- 
tion, finding  the  road  so  muddy  that  it  was  next  to 
impossible  to  get  along.  Skirmishing  was  going  on 
some  four  miles  distant  at  a  range  of  hills;  the  rebels 


496  CONFEDERATES  "HARD  PRESSED." 

were  endeavoring  to  gain  time.  It  would  have  been  a 
great,  saving  had  they  surrendered  just  before  they  re- 
belled. We  do  not  know  so  well  about  that,  however, 
as  the  war  taught  some  great  salutary  lessons;  we  all 
have  to  die  sometime  anyhow,  and  reforms  must  go  on. 
To  make  matters  worse,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible, 
rain  commenced  falling  at  three  P.  M. 

Very  soon  after  getting  across  Richland  Creek,  we 
came  to  a  spot  which  had  been  the  camping-place  of 
Confederate  infantry.  The  destruction  of  stew-pans, 
kettles,  picks,  "shovels,  spades,  guns,  and  ammunition, 
plainly  revealed  the  haste  with  which  the  rebels  betook 
themselves  on  leaving.  At  dusk  we  went  into  camp 
three  and  one  half  miles  from  Pulaski.  Up  to  this 
point  we  had  passed  twenty  wagons,  abandoned  by  the 
enemy.  These  wagons  were  loaded  with  ammunition, 
which  was,  in  some  way  or  other,  rendered  "  unfit  for 
service."  The  rebels  had  sought  to  burn  the  wagons, 
but  it  was  another  case  of  great  haste  lessening  the 
speed.  Two  ambulances  and  three  caissons  were  also 
left  by  the  fleeing  rabble.*  Along  the  road,  and  on 
either  side,  were  strewn  shell,  solid  shot,  grape,  canister, 
and  cartridges.  It  began  to  look  very  much  as  if  the 
rebels  were  contemplating  retiring  from  business. 

We  had  no  Christmas  dinner  to  speak  of,  and  did 
well  to  get  any  supper;  the  mess-wagon  of  the  officers 

*  One  Major  Sanders,  of  the  Confederate  army,  in  an  article  con- 
tributed to  the  Southern  Bivouac,  September,  1884,  said :  "  General 
Wood,  commanding  the  4th  Corps,  pursued  the  rear  guard  with  in- 
domitable resolution  and  untiring  energy.  He  was  incited  to  make  his 
wonderful  infantry  march  to  Pulaski  by  the  indications  of  demoraliza- 
tion, distress,  and  the  hopeless  condition  of  the  retreating  army  that 
abounded  all  along  the  line  of  Hood's  retreat.  .  .  .  His  troops  re- 
sponded to  the  demands  made  on  their  endurance,  and  achieved  for 
themselves  a  reputation  that  will  live  forever  in  the  military  annals  of 
their  country." 


VERY  BAD  ROADS.  497 

was  still  in  the  rear,  and  the  three  days  for  which 
rations  were  last  drawn  expired  with  December  25th ; 
so,. unless  the  supply-train  had  gotten  up  very  soon,  the 
officers  would  have  had  to  quit  "  boarding  around  " 
among  the  messes,  mess-wagon  or  no  mess-wagon.  For 
diversion  and  amusement  we  had  the  pursuit,  thus  far, 
to  consider,  it  being  without  a  parallel  in  all  our  pre- 
vious experience ;  and  we  also  indulged  in  speculations 
and  prophecies  as  to  future  movements. 

December  26th  opened  up  with  rain,  and  the  muck 
and  mud  seemed  to  be  on  the  rise ;  but  the  supply-train 
arrived  all  right,  and  by  ten  A.  M.  rations,  three  days, 
to  last  five,  were  being  drawn;  this  reduction  or  al- 
lowance being  made  to  favor  the  mules,  on  account  of 
the  extremely  muddy  roads  and  the  great  difficulty  in 
getting  the  train  along  at  all.  We  had  breakfast  at 
about  10.30  A.  M.  Officers'  mess-wagon  came  up  in  the 
afternoon.  We  did  not  move  on  this  date,  but  put  in 
the  time  in  distributing  rations,  and  in  lightening  the 
loads  in  our  ammunition  and  baggage  wagons,  as  well. 
The  roads  were  fearfully  cut  up,  being  filled  with  rock 
large  and  small,  and  chuck-holes  between  them,  from 
"  hub-deep,"  diminishing  in  depth,  to  a  capacity  equal  to 
that  of  a  mule's  ear,  for  holding  muddy  water.  It  was 
reported  that  Hood  was  fifteen  miles  off,  with  his  rear 
guard.  From  various  rumors  afloat,  and  many  visible  indi- 
cations, it  was  conjectured  that  Hood's  effective  force  had 
dwindled  to  such  an  extent  as  to  leave  him  only 
enough  men  for  a  rear  guard. 

We  were  up  at  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of 
December  27th,  with  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  by 
five  o'clock,  but  did  not  get  off  until  daybreak.  By 
dint  of  great  perseverance  and  hard  scrambling,  we 

32 


498  PURSUIT  CONTINUED. 

made  fourteen  miles  by  3.30  P.  M.,  and  went  into 
camp  on  Sugar  Creek.  During  the  day  we  passed 
over  a  "  hickory-flats "  region  of  country,  the  roads 
utterly  indescribable  for  badness.  Hood  reported  far 
to  our  front,  and  still  "hustling."  Thirty  prisoners 
captured  by  our  cavalry  were  sent  to  the  rear. 

We  were  up  by  daylight  of  Wednesday,  December 
28th.  The  clouds  had  cleared  away,  and  the  indications 
as  to  weather  were  favorable.  Breakfast  being  disposed 
of,  and  all  being  ready,  the  march  was  resumed  at  8.30 
A.  M.,  the  73d  being  foremost  of  the  4th  Army  Corps. 
On  getting  fairly  under  way,  we  were  halted  in  the 
Sugar  Creek  bottoms,  and  a  dispatch  from  General 
Sherman  was  read  to  us,  announcing  the  occupation  of 
Savannah,  and  enumerating  the  stores,  cotton,  and 
other  material,  that  had  been  captured  at  the  same 
time.  Our  march  during  the  day  was  over  a  "jack- 
oak"  and  "chestnut  flats"  country.  The  roads  were 
almost  impassable  for  our  wagon-train.  In  marching, 
we  took  either  side  of  the  road,  walking  on  the  brush 
and  leaves  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  thus  getting  along 
some  better,  making  fourteen  miles,  and  going  into 
camp  one  mile  south  of  Lexington,  Alabama,  a  point 
twenty-one  miles  from  Florence  and  sixteen  miles  from 
Muscle  Shoals.  Reports  represented  that  the  rebels 
were  getting  across  the  Tennessee  River. 

We  got  up  at  daylight,  Thursday,  December  29th, 
finding  the  sky  clear,  and  also  finding  a  white  frost. 
All  quiet;  no  news.  The  supply  of  rations  was  be- 
coming short,  and  foraging  squads  were  sent  out  by 
each  company,  but  meat  of  one  kind  or  another  was 
about  all  they  secured.  Hood  succeeded  in  getting 
across  the  river  with  the  remnant  of  his  army.  The 


TRAINS  DELAYED.  499 

gun-boats,  Generals  Steele,  Steadman,  and  Rousseau,  did 
not  interfere  to  prevent  or  hinder  his  crossing,  as  was 
expected.  Hood's  losses  from  the  time  he  crossed  the 
Tennessee  River,  going  north,  up  to  the  time  he  re- 
crossed,  going  south,  on  the  25th,  were  thought  to  be  not 
less  than  twenty  thousand  men,  in.  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing.  In  war  material  he  lost  sixty-eight  pieces  of 
artillery,  one  hundred  army  wagons,  a  large  amount  of 
ammunition  and  small  arms.  His  army  was  thoroughly 
disappointed,  baffled,  and  defeated,  becoming  disorderly 
and  demoralized  to  such  an  extent  as  to  deserve  the 
name  of  mob  only.  The  day  continued  very  beautiful 
throughout;  the  air  was  balmy  and  spring-like.  No 
news,  except  that  our  supply-train  failed  to  get  up,  which 
was  not  very  comforting.  The  pioneers  were  sent  back 
to  help  patch  up  the  roads.  No  mail  was  received 
either ;  so  time  hung  rather  heavily  on  our  hands. 

Friday,  December  30th,  we  got  up  later  than  on  any 
morning  since  the  campaign  opened.  The  sky  was  clear 
and  weather  all  that  could  be  expected  at  that  season 
of  the  year.  We  were  still  awaiting  the  arrival  of  our 
supply-train.  The  trains  of  the  1st  and. 3d  Divisions  got 
up  early  on  this  date,  and  our  train  was  expected  up 
by  night-fall.  The  fifth  day  was  far  spent,  for  which 
three-fifth  rations  had  been  drawn  on  the  26th.  The 
train  disappointed  our  expectations  by  failing  to  arrive, 
which  necessitated  our  boys  to  put  up  with  meat  only 
for  breakfast  on  December  31st. 

Sleet  formed,  and  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  half  an 
inch  the  night  of  the  30th,  and  a  cold  north-west  wind 
blew  up  to  nine  A.  M.  of  the  31st.  Milder  weather 
prevailed  from  that  hour  the  remainder  of  the  day.  A 
mail  was  received,  which  tended  to  relieve  the  monot- 


600  CLOSE  OF  THE  YEAR. 

ony  of  the  passing  hours.  Rations  still  behind.  The 
strike-tent  call  sounded,  and  at  10.30  A.  M.  the  tents 
were  all  down,  and  the  command  marched  out  at 
eleven;  our  2d  Division  in  rear  of  the  4th  Army  Corps, 
and  our  1st  Brigade  in  rear  of  the  division,  and 
our  regiment  in  rear  of  brigade.  We  marched  back 
to  Lexington  to  meet  our  rations,  and  again  drew 
three  days'  rations  to  last  five.  Being  provided  with 
subsistence,  we  were  not  permitted  to  tarry  long, 
but  marched  at  two  P.  M.,  going  a  little  south  of  a 
due  east  course,  in  the  direction  of  Athens.  After 
marching  eight  miles,  we  bivouacked  in  the  woods  at 
sunset.  The  country  traversed  was  mostly  flat  and 
unproductive,  there  being  but  a  small  area  of  land 
cleared.  The  snow  and  sleet  of  the  early  part  of  the 
day  had  almost  disappeared,  owing  to  the  warmth  of 
the  day's  sunshine.  The  sky  was  clear  at  dusk.  The 
last  entry  for  the  year  1864,  in  Captain  Kyger's 
memoranda,  reads  as  follows  : 

"I  could  not  get  sleepy;  sat  by  the  fire  thinking  of  the  past 
and  writing  until  eleven  o'clock.  The  old  year  will  pass  away 
with  pleasant  thoughts  and  thankfulness  to  the  Ruling  Power  for 
my  protection  through  another  year  of  danger  and  war.  May  I 
still  be  shielded  from  danger,  and  our  bleeding  country  rescued 
from  the  rebellious  powers!  is  my  wish." 

At  that  time  the  "rebellious  powers"  were  on  the 
decline,  were  waning  and  winking  out  very  rapidly,  es- 
pecially in  the  West. 

"Bivouac  eight  miles  east  of  Lexington,  Alabama,  Sunday,  Jan- 
uary 1,  1865. — Up  before  daylight,  and  had  breakfast  of  hard-tack, 
meat,  and  coffee.  A  bright  morning,  clear  and  frosty ;  ice  formed 
over  the  puddles  of  water  in  the  road  an  inch  in  thickness.  Did 
not  march  until  nine  A.  M.  Went  in  the  direction  of  Athens, 
and  at  three  P.  M.  went  into  camp.  Had  orders  that  we  would 
be  likely  to  remain  two  or  three  days,  and  that  foraging  parties 


KYOER'S  MEMORANDA.  501 

would  be  sent  out  each  day.  This  halt  is  to  await  the  construc- 
tion of  a  bridge  across  Elk  River.  At  dusk  Lieutenant  Sherrick, 
forty  enlisted  men,  and  myself  were  detailed  to  go  out  about  two 
miles,  to  Mr.  Craig's,  to  shell  corn,  to  be  sent  to  mill  to  be  ground 
for  the  brigade.  We  reached  the  point,  and  divided  the  squad 
into  four  reliefs,  and  commenced  shelling  corn  at  eight  P.  M.  I 
had  charge  until  twelve  o'clock ;  watched  the  first  day  of  the  new 
year  out.  A  sergeant  and  Lieutenant  Sherrick  then  took  charge 
until  daylight ;  sky  clear,  weather  cool." 

"At  Craig's  Farm,  fifteen  miles  from  Athens,  Alabama,  Monday, 
January  2,  1865. — Up  at  daylight.  Shelling  going  on  all  night ; 
have  about  thirty-five  bushels  shelled  corn.  Nine  o'clock  A.  M. 
three  wagons  came  after  the  corn,  and  we  were  allowed  to  return 
to  camp.  The  men  of  the  corps  are  acting  shamefully  in  their 
promiscuous  foraging  off  the  citizens  ;  in  many  instances  taking  all 
their  meat,  flour,  meal,  molasses,  salt,  chickens,  ducks,  geese,  and 
hominy ;  also  many  other  things  from  about  the  houses  that  can 
not  be  of  any  use  to  them  whatever. 

"  The  general  commanding  has  issued  an  order  for  a  roll-call 
every  two  hours,  making  the  company  commanders  responsible  for 
the  attendance  of  their  men.  Foraging  parties  in  charge  of  a 
commissioned  officer,  only  will  be  allowed  hereafter.  Lieutenant 
Newlin  and  his  pioneers  were  ordered  to  go  to  Elk  River,  to  be 
ready  to  commence  work  on  the  bridge  by  six  A.  M.  to-morrow. 
Left  camp  at  five  P.  M.,  after  doing  some  cursing." 

NOTE. — Kyger  not  only  tells  the  truth,  as  a  rule,  but  sometimes  he 
tells  the  whole  truth  in  his  daily  memoranda.  The  writer,  however, 
was  not  the  only  person  that  went  wrong  and  indulged  in  "  some 
cursing."  That  others  did  wrong  does  not  excuse  us.  We  wish  to  add 
now,  that  we  have  long  since  left  off  cursing,  having  done  quite  enough 
in  that  line,  though  never  regarded  as  an  habitual  swearer.  We  re- 
ported agreeably  to  orders  at  division  head-quarters,  and  found  there  a 
number  of  other  squads  of  pioneers,  the  whole  aggregating  nearly,  or 
quite,  one  hundred  men.  These  were  placed  in  my  charge,  and  I  was 
instructed  to  report  my  command  to  the  major  commanding  the  engi- 
neers at  Elk  River  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  understanding  being, 
though,  that  we  should  report  that  night,  as  it  was  not  more  than  five 
miles  to  the  point  where  the  bridge  was  being  put  across  the  river. 
We  left  division  head-quarters  at  seven  P.  M.,  just  as  rain  began  to 
fall  gently.  The  road  was  not  a  good  one  by  any  means,  and  it  was 
hedged  in  by  thick  woods.  The  darkness  and  rain  increased,  and  by 
the  time  we  had  groped  through  some  three  miles  of  the  way,  we  con- 
cluded it  was  not  practicable  to  go  farther  that  night ;  so  we  called  a 
halt,  put  out  a  few  guards  on  the  road,  and  waited  until  daybreak, 


502  PASS  ATHENS. 

when  we  pushed  on  to  the  river,  arriving  in  time  to  do  the  last  work 
necessary  to  enable  our  trains  to  cross ;  cut  the  approaches  to  the  bridge 
at  each  end,  which  was  soon  done,  and  we  awaited  the  arrival  of  the 
division. 

"  Camp  near  Mount  Roszell,  Alabama,  January  3,  1865. — Rain- 
ing a  little  this  morning.  Weather  quite  warm.  Rumor  that  the 
bridge  is  complete  across  Elk  River.  Twelve  o'clock  noon,  orders 
came  to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  move.  At  1.45  P.  M.  or- 
dered to  strike  tents.  It  is  done;  and  I  am  writing  this  while 
sitting  on  a  jack-oak  stump  by  my  fire.  We  are  faring  plenti- 
fully; the  boys  have  all  they  can  possibly  take  along.  Marched 
at  2.30  P.  M.,  reached  Elk  River,  and  crossed  the  newly-con- 
structed trestle  bridge  at  4.30  P.  M.  Went  two  miles  south  of 
river,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night,  eight  miles  west  of  Athens. 
Here  our  brigade  inspector  told  us  our  destination  was  Huntsville, 
Alabama,  that  we  were  to  go  into  winter-quarters,  and  prepare 
for  an  early  spring  campaign.  The  locality  (of  the  proposed 
winter-quarters)  seems  to  meet  the  approval  of  all,  as  well  as  the 
prospect  of  a  rest  for  a  month  or  two.  This  has  been  a  most 
beautiful  afternoon ;  warm  and  clear. 

"  Wednesday,  January  4,  1865,  Bivouac  in  the  Woods,  eight  miles 
west  of  Athens,  Alabama. — Up  at  four  o'clock  to  march  at  six 
A.  M.  A  pleasant  morning.  Weather  fair,  and  a  gentle  breeze 
from  the  north-east.  Our  brigade,  with  the  exception  of  the  73d, 
marched  at  daylight.  We  are  to  go  as  division-train  guard ; 
marched  at  sunrise,  and  arrived  in  the  suburbs  of  Athens  at  11.15 
A.  M.,  and  halted  until  the  rear  of  train  passed.  Marched  through 
town,  making  no  halt ;  took  the  direct  road  for  Huntsville,  and 
marched  steadily ;  had  but  little  trouble  or  delay  with  train.  Went 
into  camp  at  7.45  P.  M.  at  a  point  eleven  miles  from  Huntsville. 
We  had  marched  twenty-three  miles  during  the  day,  starting 
early,  and  not  halting  until  a  late  hour.  This  has  been  a  long 
and  seemingly  uncalled-for  march,  as  we  are  going  into  winter- 
quarters.  The  entire  4th  Army  Corps  is  along,  and,  from  what 
we  can  gather,  will  all  stop  at  the  same  point.  The  supply-train 
is  up,  and  two  days'  rations  have  been  issued  to-night.  Major 
Motherspaw  died  in  Nashville,  of  wound  received  at  Franklin, 
Tennessee. 

"Bivouac,  eleven  miles  west  of  Huntsville,  Alabama,  Thursday, 
January  5,  1865.— Up  at  5.30,  to  march  at  6.30  A.  M.  Left  our 
camp  just  at  break  of  day ;  joined  the  division,  and  marched 


ARRIVE  AT  HUNTSV1LLE.  503 

•directly  for  Huntsville.  We  reached  the  western  suburbs  of  the 
town  at  twelve  M.,  and  halted  for  one  and  a  half  hours,  and 
then  we  moved  to  a  point  two  miles  north-west  of  town,  with 
orders  that  we  would  pass  the  night,  and  probably  change  to 
another  place  to-morrow.  The  1st  and  3d  Divisions  are  in 
camp  on  the  east  side  of  town.  The  indications  still  are  that  we 
go  into  winter-quarters  near.  We  have  not  seen  the  town  only  at 
a  distance.  From  this  stand-point,  it  looks  as  though  it  was  a 
beautiful  place. 

"The  country  on  west  side  is  quite  rolling;  in  fact,  rises  into 
knobs.  Farms  on  this  side  of  town  are  scarce ;  the  ground  seems 
unproductive.  Reports  say  the  16th  Corps  is  to  go  into  winter- 
quarters  at  Memphis,  the  4th  here,  and  the  23d  at  Daltou. 

"  Bivouac,  two  miles  north-west  of  Huntsville,  Alabama,  Friday, 
January  6,  1865. — Slept  late  this  morning.  Rained  some  during 
the  night.  Weather  warm,  and  wind  coming  from  the  south. 
Think  we  will  have  our  position  assigned  us  during  the  day  for 
quarters.  The  pioneers  are  ordered  to  grind  up  all  their  axes,  to 
be  ready  to  put  up  '  chebangs.'  Received  a  mail  just  after  dark. 
I  had  ten  letters.  O,  how  nice  it  was  to  have  so  many  good  and 
kind  letters  after  so  long  a  suspense !  Received  orders  from 
General  Elliott,  giving  instructions  concerning  the  putting  up  of 
winter-quarters.  The  houses  for  the  men  are  to  be  seven  by  ten 
feet,  end  to  the  street,  and  five  feet  (high)  to  the  square  and 
corners,  and  each  to  be  covered  by  two  shelter-tents ;  four  men 
to  be  allotted  to  each  house.  The  officers'  quarters  are  to  be  any 
size  they  may  wish.  The  camp-grounds  are  about  two  miles 
north-west  of  the  public-square  of  Huntsville.  The  brigade  is  on 
one  line,  officers'  quarters  fronting  north.  The  grounds  are  very 
nice,  and  well  adapted  to  camping  purposes." 

At  this  point,  Kyger  seems  to  have  relinquished  the 
business  of  keeping  a  daily  memoranda  of  events.  We 
can  assign  two  possible  reasons  for  his  doing  so.  First, 
he  was  a  mechanical  genius,  was  perfectly  at  home, 
well-suited,  and  happy  if  he  could  be  "tinkering"  and 
fixing  up.  He  spared  no  labor  or  pains  in  the  erection 
of  his  winter-quarters  at  Huntsville,  working  faithfully, 
early  and  late,  on  them  for  several  days  and  nights. 


504  MONOTONY  OF  CAMP. 

This  occupied  his  time,  so  that  he  had  none  to  devote 
to  keeping  data,  though  the  events  were  few.  Second, 
there  being  no  force  of  the  enemy  anywhere  near  us, 
it  tended  to  eliminate  or  extract  the  snap  and  neces- 
sity for  wary  activity,  thus  permitting  the  army  to 
settle  down  into  a  kind  of  passive  existence. 

The  history  of  one  or  two  days  would  do  for  the 
history  of  all  while  such  a  state  of  affairs  continued, 
and  by  the  time  Kyger  got  his  "  chebang "  completed 
and  furnished,  he  found  that  a  daily  record  of  events 
would  be  a  record  of  repetitions,  and  therefore  next  to 
useless.  .  It  was  not  until  about  the  middle  of  March 
that  the  dullness  and  monotony  of  the  camp  began  to 
give  place  to  speculation  as  to  future  movements.  Of 
course  this  speculation  and  conjecture  had  several  plans 
and  schemes  marked  out  for  the  4th  Corps  to  consummate. 
Time  passed  with  seemingly  greater  rapidity,  and 
March  27,  1865,  was  the  last  day  of  our  encampment 
at  Huntsville. 

On  March  28th  we  had  all  our  extra  baggage  and 
stores  hauled  to  the  railroad  depot,  and  loaded  on  cars. 
At  11.30  A.  M.  we  boarded  the  train,  and  soon  were 
moving  toward  Stephenson.  Several  delays  occurred 
from  some  cause  before  getting  well  started  on  the 
journey.  The  common  box-cars,  used  for  shipping  live- 
stock and  other  heavy  freights,  were  provided  for  our 
accommodation.  It  is  unnecessary  to  say  that  we  had 
a  pleasant  trip.  Our  latest  experience  in  campaigning 
and  marching  had  prepared  us  to  welcome  a  change  in 
the  manner  of  moving  from  point  to  point.  We  grew 
tired  of  the  change,  as  by  nine  o'clock  P.  M.  we  were 
all  "  abed  "  on  the  floor  of  a  "  stinking  "  car.  It  was 
"  given  out "  and  "  passed  around  "  that  our  destination 


OFF  FOR  EAST  TENNESSEE.  505 

was  Bull's  Gap,  East  Tennessee.  We  somehow  con- 
trived to  pass  the  night,  and  by  daylight  of  March  29th 
we  reached  Chattanooga ;  we  were  "  side-tracked  "  until 
7.30  A.  M.  In  the  meantime  we  got  breakfast,  and 
as  all  were  anxious  to  make  this  journey,  there  was  no 
straggling  off  at  any  great  distance  from  our  train. 
After  breakfast,  the  cry  "  all  aboard  "  caused  some  little 
hurrying  and  "hustling"  to  avoid  being  left.  We  were 
immediately  started  on  the  road  to  Knoxville,  and 
made  wretched  time,  not  arriving  at  Cleveland  until 
four  P.  M.  At  this  point  we  found  the  "old"  150th 
Illinois  doing  garrison  duty.  In  this  regiment  were  a 
number  of  acquaintances  of  members  of  Company  C, 
including  Dicken,  Hawes,  Huff,  Carney,  Parker,  Douglas, 
Brady,  and  others.  The  150th  was  "part  and  parcel" 
of  the  second  separate  division,  commanded  by  Prince 
Salm  Salm,  and  the  men  seemed  quite  well  pleased  with 
army  service.* 

A  delay  was  occasioned  on  account  of  a  train  ahead 
of  ours,  having  six  cars  thrown  from  the  track,  killing  the 
quartermaster-sergeant  of  the  88th  Illinois,  and  break- 
ing bones  of  five  or  six  others  who  were  aboard  the 
cars  thrown  off.  Rain  fell  during  the  night.  It  was 
nearly  or  quite  ten  o'clock  P.  M.  when  we  left  Cleve- 
land, and  we  reached  Lenoir's  Station  a  little  before 
daylight  of  March  30th.  As  soon  as  there  was  light 
enough  "  on  the  subject,"  coffee  was  prepared.  The 
boys  met  many  of  their  old  acquaintances  of  "  a  year 
before."  Some  of  the  boys  went  into  Blount  County — 
to  see  their  brevet  wives,  perhaps.  (Reagan,  Hol- 


*  Captain  Kyger  and  W.  H.  Newlin  took  supper  with  Captain 
Parker  and  Lieutenant  Carney,  a  detention  affording  an  opportunity 
for  this. 


506  ARRIVE  AT  KNOXV1LLE. 

lingsworth,  Judd,  and  Martin,  of  Company  C,  were 
absent.) 

As  we  passed  along  the  railroad,  after  getting  started 
again,  we  saw  women  out  at  almost  every  house,  wav- 
ing white  handkerchiefs  at  us.  By  way  of  returning 
compliments,  the  boys  gave  hearty  cheers  for  the  women 
and  Union  too.  Arrived  at  Knoxville  at  twelve  o'clock 
noon.  We  were  again  detained,  this  time  by  the  wreck- 
ing of  a  bridge  some  eight  miles  north-east  of  Knox- 
ville. All  the  trains  bearing  our  brigade  were  backed 
out  on  the  Knoxville  and  Cumberland  Gap  road.  We 
were  instructed  to  remain  with  train,  and  use  the  cars 
as  "  chebangs "  until  the  repairs  on  bridge  were  com- 
pleted. While  waiting  at  this  point,  Knoxville  was 
visited  by  both  officers  and  men  of  the  73d.  There 
were  very  few  changes  to  note  on  the  part  of  those 
who  had  visited  the  place  a  year  previously.  The  2d 
Brigade  bivoucked  alongside  the  railroad  track, 
discarding  the  cars  for  the  time  being.  A  drizzling 
rain  fell. 

We  were  up  at  daybreak  on  March  31st.  There 
were  indications  of  further  delay.  The  rain  had  ceased 
and  the  weather  was  much  cooler.  Notice  was  given 
through  the  regular  channel  that  our  train  would  move 
out  at  one  P.  M. — not  before;  whereupon  a  number  of 
the  regiment  went  to  Knoxville,  and  some  of  these 
awaited  the  train  there,  not  returning  to  the  side-tnick. 
Our  train  did  not  get  off  until  four  P.  M.,  the  delay 
being  occasioned  by  an  accident  to  the  train  fihead  of 
ours,  the  tender  of  the  engine  being  thrown  from  the 
track.  When  we  finally  got  started  we  had  a  pleasant 
ride,  the  weather  having  become  fair  and  beautiful. 
As  we  passed  up  the  road,  the  waving  of  hats,  bonnets, 


FALL  OF  RICHMOND.  507 

and  handkerchiefs,  on  the  part  of  the  people,  indicated 
the  cordiality  of  the  welcome  we  received.  We  arrived 
at  New  Market  at  nine  P.  M.  Captain  Kyger  having 
formed  many  acquaintances  a  year  before,  went  imme- 
diately to  the  house  of  one  of  them  (Jonathan  Law- 
rence,), and  remained  there  until  morning.  From  Law- 
rence and  other  Union  people,  Kyger  got  a  full  history 
of  all  the  "rebs."  in  the  place.  He  got  left,  too,  when 
our  train  moved  out  on  the  morning  of  April  1st. 

On  the  way  up  we  passed  Mossy  Creek  and  Mor- 
ristown,  arriving  at  Bull's  Gap  April  1,  1865.  The 
gap  is  formed  by  a  succession  of  knobs,  averaging 
something  like  one  thousand  feet  in  height,  and  ex- 
tending on  the  right  and  left  of  the  railroad  as  far  as 
the  eye  could  see ;  and  it  was  said  to  be  four  miles 
from  the  beginning  of  the  range  of  knobs  at  the  rail- 
way station  to  the  region  of  country  north  and  east 
where  there  were  tillable  or  farming  lands.  On  the  sum- 
mits of  these  hills  or  knobs  were  earth-works  built  by 
the  rebels.  The  73d  bivouacked  one  and  one-half  miles 
north-enst  of  the  station. 

On  the  morning  of  April  3d  we  were  up  at  sunrise, 
and  found  the  weather  agreeable.  At  three  P.  M.  dis- 
patches were  received  announcing  the  fall  of  Richmond, 
and  its  occupancy  by  General  Weitzel's  Union  force. 
On  the  2d  one  hundred  guns  had  been  fired  at  corps 
head-quarters  in  honor  of  the  victor}',  which  necessi- 
tated the  fall  of  the  Confederate  Capital.  .At  five 
P.  M.  other  dispatches,  confirming  the  first,  were  re- 
ceived. All  was  excitement  in  our  camp,  and  in  all 
the  camps.  The  soldiers  all  seemed  delighted  at  the 
brightening  prospect  of  peace,  through  the  overthrow 
of  the  Rebellion.  All  our  extra  baggage  was  loaded 


508  CAMP  AT  BLUE  SPRINGS. 

on  the  cars  to  be  sent  to  Knoxville  and  stored  away. 
Orders  to  march  at  six  A.  M.  of  April  4th  were  received. 

All  the  soldiers  of  the  73d  were  up  by  4.30  on  the 
morning  of  the  4th,  expecting  to  march  at  six  A.  M. 
We  started  at  6.30,  taking  the  dirt-road  on  the  left  of 
the  railroad,  and  going  in  the  direction  of  Greenville. 
The  3d  Division  followed  ours.  Our  division  halted 
after  marching  eight  miles,  and  received  orders  to  go 
into  camp  at  or  near  Blue  Springs.  Blue  Springs  was 
situated  One  and  a  half  mile  east  of  Midway.  By  night- 
fall we  had  our  "purp"  tents  stretched,  and  were  quite 
pleasantly  situated  again  in  camp.  Further  news  from 
Richmond  and  vicinity  was  received,  and  proved  to  be 
of  an  encouraging  character,  indicating  the  speedy  ter- 
mination of  the  "cruel  war."  The  railroad  for  miles  in 
either  direction  from  our  camp  was  entirely  destroyed, 
bridges  and  ties  were  burned,  and  the  rails  were  twisted. 
Details  of  men  from  our  division  went  to  work  on  the 
railroad,  and  fifty  men  and  two  commissioned  officers 
were  also  sent  to  assist  in  repairing  the  telegraph 
line  to  Greenville. 

The  weather  was  warm  and  the  sky  clouded  on  the 
morning  of  Wednesday,  April  5th.  The  day  was  spent 
in  making  additions  and  improvements  to  the  quarters 
in  camp.  As  usual  Kyger  had  his  "  chebang  "  finished 
in  a  style  "  second  to  none."  He  speaks  of  it  thus  : 

"We  have  a  wagon-sheet  for  our  shelter,  and  this  evening — 
April  5th — have  '  chebang'  quite  comfortable,  with  seats,  writing- 
table,  shelf,  and  a  bunk." 

The  news  received  on  this  date  was  as  cheering  as 
we  could  have  expected,  pointing  with  almost  unmis- 
takable certainty  to  an  early  and  sudden  collapse  of 
the  wicked  Rebellion.  A  mail  was  received,  which 


RUMOR  CONFIRMED.  509 

also  contributed  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  soldiers  in 
camp.  The  pioneer  corps  was  busily  engaged  in  get- 
ting out  railroad  ties  during  the  day.  High  winds  at 
night,  but  no  rain. 

It  was  raining  on  the  morning  of  April  6th.  An- 
other dispatch  was  received  respecting  the  movements 
and  achievements  of  the  armies  of  the  East.  Sherman 
was  of  the  opinion  that  in  about  four  months  we  should 
see  mustered  out  one  of  the  bravest  armies  the  world 
ever  knew.  All  the  soldiers  in  all  the  camps  were 
quite  jubilant  over  the  very  interesting  news  from  the 
East,  and  all  hoped  and  believed  that  peace,  honorable 
peace,  would  soon  crown  the  efforts  of  the  Union  armies. 

A 'cold,  drizzling  rain  was  still  falling  on  the  morn- 
ing of  April  7th.  No  dispatches  received  on  this 
date.  During  the  afternoon  the  rain  ceased  falling 
and  the  clouds  cleared  away.  At  dusk  a  rumor  was 
going  the  rounds  of  the  camps  to  the  effect  that 
General  Lee  had  surrendered  himself,  with  twenty 
thousand  men ;  also  that  Sheridan  had  engaged  the 
enemy,  and  taken  Generals  Evvell.  Burton,  and  many 
other  officers  and  men  prisoners,  also  capturing  several 
batteries  of  artillery.  It  was  earnestly  hoped  all  this 
was  true ;  but  doubts  were  expressed,  and  the  tele- 
graph connecting  with  corps  head-quarters  being  out 
of  order,  led  to  the  conviction  that  the  reports  were 
not  authentic. 

Next  day,  however,  a  dispatch  was  received  which 
made  the  rumor  just  recited  seem  almost  like  a  proph- 
ecy, if  not  really  founded  in  fact.  The  dispatch  was  : 

"  General  Sheridan  engaged  the  enemy  and  captured  Generals 
Ewell,  Kershaw,  Burton,  Corse,  DeBarr,  and  Curtis,  six  thousand 
prisoners,  and  fourtee'n  pieces  of  artillery." 


510  REPAIRING  RAILROAD. 

This  gratifying  intelligence  was  beyond  our  most 
sanguine  hopes,  to  say  nothing  of  expectations  as  to 
the  progress  it  assured  in  the  direction  of  peace. 

On  Sunday,  April  9th,  details  of  men  were  sent  to 
work  on  the  railroad.  One  of  these  details,  number- 
ing seventy-five  men,  was  under  charge  of  Captain 
Kyger,  and  reported  for  duty  at  six  A.  M.  At  a 
point  about  one  mile  west  of  Midway  this  detail 
loaded  wagons  with  ties  in  the  woods,  then  followed  up 
and  unloaded  them  at  the  railroad.  On  the  afternoon 
of  this  date  the  construction  train  ran  up  within  a  half 
mile  of  Midway.  The  men  were  relieved  from  their 
labor  on  the  railroad  at  five  P.M.,  at  which  time  it 
wns  raining,  making  it  very  disagreeable.  The  news 
concerning  military  operations  in  Virginia  continued 
good. 

On  Monday,  April  10th,  it  was  still  raining,  and 
the  air  was  quite  cool.  At  one  P.  M.  the  rumor 
that  Lee  had  surrendered  himself  and  the  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia  to  General  Grant,  on  terms  pro- 
posed by  the  latter,  was  going  the  rounds  of  the 
camp.  At  ten  P.  M.  a  dispatch  came  confirming  the 
news  and  giving  further  particulars.  The  wildest  en- 
thusiasm ever  witnessed  or  participated  in,  prevailed 
in  the  camp.  Men  shouted  and  cheered,  bands  and 
bugles  played,  heavy  and  promiscuous  volleys  of 
musketry  were  fired,  and  repeated  again  and  again. 
The  excitement  and  noise  did  not  subside  until  long 
after  midnight.  A  permanent  and  honorable  peace 
was  regarded  as  a  possibility  of  the  near  future. 

As  a  consequence  of  the  uproar  and  excitement 
of  the  time,  we  were  all  late  in  getting  up  on  the 
morning  of  April  llth.  After  a  late  breakfast,  whisky 


THE  ENEMY  S VRRENDER.  511 

was  issued,  and  a  few  of  the  men  became  "hilarious," 
which  was  something  rather  unusual,  as  well  as  un- 
becoming and  out  of  place,  in  the  "  Preacher  Regi- 
ment." A  mail  was  received  and  distributed,  which 
made  some  variety  of  pastime,  in  reading  and  answer- 
ing letters.  By  dusk  of  this  date  the  railroad  was  re- 
paired to  within  half  a  mile  of  camp. 

Rain  fell  during  nearly  the  whole  of  Wednesday, 
April  12th,  making  it  an  unpleasant  day.  A  dispatch 
was  received  in  the  evening  enumerating  the  general 
officers  surrendered  to  Grant  on  the  9th  inst.,  as  follows  : 
One  general-in-chief,  three  lieutenant-generals,  seventeen 
major-generals,  and  sixty-one  brigadier-generals.  At  the 
close  of  the  day  it  was  still  raining,  with  but  little 
prospect  of  ceasing  entirely.  We  were  notified  that  the 
73d  was  to  go  on  picket  next  day. 

Rain  continued  falling  on  the  13th,  but  the  regiment 
reported  for'  picket  duty  notwithstanding.  At  10.30 
A.  M.,  not  long  after  we  got  stationed  on  the  picket- 
line,  the  sky  became  clear  and  the  sun  shone  out  beau- 
tifully, making  the  remainder  of  the  day  very  pleasant. 
The  dispatches  on  this  date  announced  the  capture,  by 
General  Wilson's  force,  of  N.  B.  Forrest  and  his  com- 
mand. There  was  also  a  rumor  that  Johnston  had  sur- 
rendered himself  and  his  army  to  General  Sherman. 
No  confirmatory  dispatches  were  received,  neither  was 
there  any  mail. 

The  morning  of  Friday,  April  14th,  was  bright  and 
clear.  We  were  on  picket,  feeling  confident  there  was 
no  enemy  in  our  front  or  anywhere  near  to  cause  us  to 
be  vigilant.  This  was,  however,  the  first  instance  in 
which  we  had  done  picket-guard  duty  in  Dixie,  feeling 
that  there  was  absolutely  no  necessity  or  occasion  for 


512  UNWELCOME  NEWS. 

watchfulness.  We  were  relieved  from  picket  at  8.15 
A.  M.  by  the  36th  Illinois.  We  returned  to  camp,  and 
quietly  passed  the  day.  The  news  in  the  evening  was 
to  the  effect  that  work  at  all  the  United  States  armories 
was  to  be  immediately  discontinued,  and  that  all  staff 
officers  not  actually  needed  would  be  mustered  out, 
drafting  to  cease,  and  trade  to  be  resumed  without 
unnecessary  restrictions.  Secretary  Seward  notified 
foreign  powers  that  the  war  was  virtually  at  an 
end.  This  day  was  observed  as  a  day  of  rest,  but 
little,  scarcely  any  duty  being  exacted  from  the  sol- 
diers. It  was  a  day  spent  in  honor  of  the  recent 
glorious  victories  in  Virginia,  .and  the  hoisting  of  the 
same  old  flag  over  Fort  Sumter  that  was  hauled  down 
precisely  four  years  before.  One  hundred  guns  were 
fired  at  4th  Corps  head-quarters  at  noon,  in  celebration 
of  the  event.  It  began  raining  at  nine  P.  M.,  and  con- 
tinued through  the  night  and  until  near  nobn  of  April 
15th,  making  the  day  quite  gloomy;  there  were  brief 
intervals  of  sunshine. 

A  rumor  circulated  through  the  camps  in  the  after- 
noon to  the  effect  that  President  Lincoln  and  Secretary 
Seward  had  been  assassinated  in  Washington  City.  Just 
before  sundown,  a  dispatch  was*  received  from  General 
Thomas  which  fully  confirmed  the  unwelcome  news. 
The  deepest  gloom  pervaded  our  camps ;  no  particulars 
concerning  the  awful  deed  or  its  perpetrators  were  trans- 
mitted. 

April  16th  was  a  clear  and  beautiful  day.  In  our 
camps  all  was  still  gloom,  and  speculation  as  to  the 
particulars  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln  and  Seward. 
At  three  P.  M.  a  dispatch  was  received  stating  that 
President  Lincoln  was  shot  while  with  his  family  in  a 


ATROCIOUS  DEED. 


513 


box  at  Ford's  Theater  in  Washington  City.  John 
Wilkes  Booth,  after  committing  the  atrocious  deed, 
sprang  from  the  box  upon  the  stage,  and,  brandishing  his 
dagger,  exclaimed  :  "  Death  to  all  tyrants !"  and  made 
his  escape  through  the  back  door,  and  left  the  city  on 


ASSASSINATION  OF  PRESIDENT  UNCO^N. 

a  horse  which  was  in  waiting.  President  Lincoln  died 
at  7.15  A.  M.  of  April  15th.  Secretary  Seward's  house 
was  entered  by  a  villain,  supposed  to  be  Payne,  at  a 
late  hour  on  the  night  of  April  14th,  who  stabbed  the 
Secretary  three  times  in  the  neck.  The  assassin  did 
not  make  sure  work  of  it,  as  Seward  recovered,  and 

33 


514  TRIO  OF  LEADERS. 

lived  to  see  the  principal  agents  in  this  work  of  con- 
spiracy, assassination,  and  murder,  brought  to  justice. 

Right  at  this  juncture  in  the  progress  of  the  war  for 
the  suppression  of  the  Rebellion  was  the  saddest  and 
most  gloomy  period  we  had  passed  through.  We  had 
lost  the  greatest,  best,  most  charitable,  forgiving,  and 
liberal-hearted  man  the  world  has  ever  known,  or  of 
which  strictly  human  history  gives  any  account.  Our 
soldiers  were  variously  affected  by  the  sad  news  on  its 
first  reception  in  camp.  While  all  were  surprised, 
shocked,  and  horrified  at  the  unwelcome  intelligence, 
the  manifestations  of  these  mingled-  feelings  differed 
according  to  the  temperaments,  various  "  make-up,"  and 
nervous  organizations  of  individuals.  Some  cried,  others 
swore  and  threatened  vengeance.  The  regiment  would 
have  re-enlisted,  veteranized  as  a  unit,  for  three,  six,  or 
nine  years.  Some  of  the  men  declared  they  would  re- 
enlist  and  serve  as  long  as  the  chances  of  battle  per- 
mitted them  to  live.  Then,  on  second  thought,  after 
sober  consideration,  in  cooler  moments,  the  conclusion 
was  reached  that  the  death  of  Lincoln  and  the  manner 
of  his  taking  off  was  perhaps  an  unfortunate  thing  for 
the  rebels  themselves ;  that  the  damage  or  injury  re- 
sulting from  his  death  would  inure  chiefly  to  the  South. 
As  to  the  government  of  the  Union,  it  was  secure,  and 
other  agents  or  instrumentalities  could  take  up  the  work 
where  Lincoln  laid  it  down;  and  as  to  Lincoln  himself, 
his  fame  was  full  and  rounded  up,  and  it  was  perhaps 
fitting  that  he  should  be  first  of  the  grand  trio  of  leaders 
from  Illinois — Lincoln,  Grant,  and  Logan — to  go  from 
hither,  yonder.  The  stillness  of  death  seemed  to  have 
settled  down  upon  our  camp. 

On  April  17th  a  rumor  that  one  of   Lee's   paroled 


RETURN  TO  BULL'S  GAP.  515 

men  had  assassinated  Jefferson  Davis,  was  going  the 
rounds  of  the  camps.  Of  course  it  proved  to  be 
rumor  only.  No  further  intelligence  concerning  Lin- 
coln and  Seward  or  Sherman's  army  was  received  on 
this  date. 

On  April  18th,  the  73d  went  on  picket  duty,  the 
spring  rain  gently  falling  as  it  moved  to  the  line.  It 
was  the  merest  formality  and  routine  work,  there  being, 
scarcely  a  semblance  of  necessity  for  pickets.  The 
rumor  current  on  this  date  was  that  Mobile  and  the 
rebel  forces  at  that  point  had  fallen  into  Federal  hands. 
Orders  were  issued  requiring  us  to  march  at  five  A.  M. 
of  the  19th.  Bull's  Gap  was  the  destination,  the  pur- 
pose being  to  take  the  train  for  Nashville. 

All  the  brigade  marched  on  time  at  five  A.  M.  of 
April  19th,  except  the  73d,  which  was  on  picket.  We 
got  under  way  at  six  o'clock,  and  marched  at  an  un- 
reasonable rate  of  speed,  and  arrived  at  the  Gap  by 
9.30  o'clock,  and  went  into  camp  south-west  of  the 
station  to  await  our  train.  The  day  proved  the  warmest 
of  the  year  up  to  date.  The  funeral  ceremonies  over 
the  remains  of  the  late  President  Lincoln  occurred  on 
this  date.  All  the  locomotives  passing  over  the  road 
were  heavily  draped  in  mourning  in  commemoration  of 
the  event.  At  three  P.  M.  a  thunder-storm  came  up, 
but  was  not  accompanied  by  much  rain.  Our  location 
at  this  time  was  fifty-four  miles  from  Knoxville,  and 
seventy-six  from  Bristol.  At  dusk  it  commenced  rain- 
ing, and  continued  raining  during  the  night. 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th  it  was  still  raining,  but 
the  clouds  cleared  away  before  noon.  The  2d  Brigade, 
1st  Division,  got  transportation,  and  started  for  Nash- 
ville on  this  date,  leaving  the  1st  and  3d  Brigades 


516  ALL  ABOARD! 

behind.  These,  however,  got  off  on  the  21st,  and  we  were 
to  go  on  the  next  section  of  train  coming  up  the  road 
from  Knoxville.  Just  at  night-fall,  orders  came  for  us 
to  hold  ourselves  in  readiness  to  go  on  short  notice. 
We  went  to  bed  to  try  and  get  a  little  rest  while 
waiting. 

We  were  up  at  3.30  on  the  morning  of  Saturday, 
April  22d,  to  be  ready  to  board  our  train.  We  had 
ample  time  to  breakfast  and  get  thoroughly  ready,  as 
it  was  eight  o'clock  before  we  moved  out  on  the  same 
train  with  the  74th  Illinois.  The  train  was  uncomfort- 
ably crowded.  Captains  Tilton  and  Kyger,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Dougherty  and  the  writer — W.  H.  Newlin — got 
into  a  hog-car  with  the  officers  of  the  74th,  thus  gaining 
some  room.  The  train  ran  to  Morristown  by  ten  A.  M., 
and  switched  off  on  a  side-track  to  await  the  arrival  of 
the  up-bound  train,  which  was  behind  time,  and  said  to 
be  off  the  track.  We  did  not  get  under  way  ngain 
until  3.30  P.  M.,  passing  New  Market  at  five  o'clock, 
and  arriving  at  Knoxville  at  eight  P.  M. 

At  Knoxville  time  only  was  taken  to  change  loco- 
motives, when  we  pulled  out,  and  by  daylight  of  the 
23d,  Sunday,  we  were  at  Lenoir's  Station.  Sunday 
morning  was  beautiful  and  quite  frosty.  We  moved 
slowly  but  steadily  on,  without  much  delay  and  no  ac- 
cidents, and  arrived  at  Chattanooga  at  five  P.  M.  Here 
we  changed  locomotives  again,  and  had  time  to  make 
coffee,  and  only  barely  time,  as  the  trains  began  to 
move  out,  and  there  was  some  "hustling"  to  get 
aboard,  and  Captains  Tilton  and  Kyger  were  left  be- 
hind. They  boarded  the  next  train,  loaded  with  the 
44th  Illinois.  An  accident  happened  to  the  car  the 
officers  of  the  44th  were  in,  scaring  some  of  them,  but 


CAMP  AT  NASHVILLE.  517 

injuring  none.  At  9.30  A.  M.  of  the  24th,  Tilton  and 
Kyger  overtook  our  train  at  a  halt,  ten  miles  from 
Nashville.  It  seems  the  men  or  officers  of  the  73d 
would  straggle,  even  when  traveling  by  rail. 

We  reached  Nashville  at  noon  of  April  24th,  and 
moved  out  two  miles  from  depot;  then  leaving  the 
cars,  we  soon  reached  our  camping  place,  to  the  left  of 
the  Charlotte  pike,  and  about  three  and  one-half  miles 
south-west  of  the  city  of  Nashville.  It  was  three 
P.  M.  by  the  time  we  reached  our  location,  and  we 
were  all  very  tired.  Orders  were  issued  to  bivouac  for 
the  night,  and  wait  until  the  arrival  of  General  Elliott 
before  laying  off  the  camp. 

Tuesday,  April  25th,  was  a  lovely  day.  The  fore- 
noon was  spent  in  ascertaining  just  where  camping 
space  for  the  73d  would  be  allotted,  and  in  laying  out 
and  staking  off  the  grounds.  Owing  to  numerous  calls 
by  soldiers  from  other  regiments  and  from  the  city, 
not  much  was  done  during  the  afternoon  in  the  putting 
up  and  arranging  of  quarters  and  the  camp.  Lieutenant 
B.  F.  Cook,  of  the  12th  U.  S.  C.  T,,  who  was  serving  at 
the  time  on  court-martial  duty  at  Nashville,  was  one  of 
our  visitors.  Much  dissatisfaction  was  felt  and  ex- 
pressed over  the  terms  offered  by  Sherman  to  Johns- 
ton, on  condition  that  the  latter  surrendered  himself 
and  his  army.  As  "  Uncle  Billy  "  made  the  terms  sub- 
ject to  approval  by  higher  authority,  it  was  not  so 
much  of  a  mistake  after  all.  The  course  pursued  by 
Grant  and  the  Cabinet  in  this  matter  was  fully  and 
freely  indorsed.  Captain  James  A.  Rice  came  up  all 
right  on  this  date. 

Wednesday,  April  26th,  was  spent  in  completing 
quarters  and  camp  conveniences.  A  sort  of  solemnity 


518  COLONEL  JAQUESS'S  RETURN. 

seemed  to  pervade  the  minds  of  many  of  the  soldiers, 
which  was  doubtless  owing  to  the  great  and  increasing 
probability  that  this  camp  was  the  last  one  we  should 
ever  have  occasion  to  fit  up.  But  recalling  in  memory 
the  comrades  who  were  associated  with  us,  and  who 
assisted  us  in  arranging  our  early  camps,  whose  faces 
we  should  never  see,  whose  voices  we  should  never 
hear  again,  may  have  produced  this  feeling  of  sadness. 
For  this  date  Kyger  says  : 

"  A  very  warm  day.  Worked  hard  at  our  '  chebang;'  have  not 
yet  got  it  completed." 

Well,  it  was  warm  again  on  April  27th,  and  slightly 
cloudy.  Kyger  says : 

"Worked  diligently  at  our  'chebang'  until  four  P.  M.,  when 
we  got  it  completed,  except  a  shelter  to  the  door.  Have  not  nails 
to  complete  it.  We  have  quite  nice  quarters,  about  as  comfortable 
as  any  we  have  heretofore  erected  in  summer." 

On  the  afternoon  of  this  date  Colonel  James  F. 
Jaquess  rejoined  the  regiment,  after  an  absence  since 
June  5,  1864.  He  was  accompanied  by  his  son  Will. 
The  colonel  made  quite  a  nice  little  speech  to  the  regi- 
ment after  sunset;  the  speech  was  well  received.  He 
told  us,  among  other  things,  that  he  expected  to  remain 
with  us  until  we  were  mustered  out  of  service ;  that  he 
had  no  doubt  but  that  our  faces  would  soon  be  turned 
homeward.  The  day  closed  with  pleasant  weather 
and  without  any  news  of  an  exciting  character. 

The  morning  of  April  28th  was  gloomy;  it  rained 
more  or  less  during  the  day,  and  there  was  a  dullness 
and  impatience,  owing  to  scarcity  of  news.  Late  in  the 
day  we  had  a  report  that  General  Johnston  had  sur- 
rendered on  the  same  terms  accorded  to  Lee. 


SERMONS  AND  A  SPEECH.  519 

We  had  cooler  weather  on  April  29th.  Being  a 
nice  clear  day,  as  well  as  cool,  many  of  the  regiment, 
both  officers  and  men,  got  passes,  and  visited  the  city, 
some  returning  by  night,  and  some  not  reporting  until 
next  morning,  which  was  Sunday  morning.  Some  were 
pleased  and  some  displeased  with  the  visit. 

Sunday,  April  30th,  was  muster-day.  There  were 
twenty-six  of  Company  C  present  for  muster,  which 
would  indicate  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  present 
of  the  regiment.  In  the  afternoon  Colonel  Jaquess 
preached  a  sermon  on  the  death  of  President  Lincoln. 

Monday,  May  1,  1865. — Weather  quite  cool  early 
in  the  morning,  but  no  frost.  No  news  except  con- 
firmation of  the  report  of  Johnston's  surrender.  Orders 
for  a  grand  review  were  issued. 

Tuesday r,  May  2d. — A  cool  north  wind  ;  sky  clear. 
Had  brigade  review  by  General  Opdycke,  preparatory  to 
the  grand  review  of  the  corps,  to  come  off  later.  Camp 
was  full  of  flying  rumors,  nearly  all  relating  to  muster 
out  of  service,  and  an  early  start  for  the  Prairie  State. 

Nothing  to  note  for  May  3d,  and  next  day  all  duties 
were  suspended  except  camp-guard  duty,  it  being  the 
date  of  the  interment  of  the  remains  of  President  Lin- 
coln, at  Springfield,  Illinois.  For  the  brigade  there  was 
a  union  service  ;  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  chaplain 
of  the  24th  Wisconsin,  and  the  day  was  spent  with  due 
solemnity. 

May  5th,  Captain  Kyger  was  detailed  as  brigade 
officer  of  the  day.  Late  in  the  day  Colonel  Jaquess 
made  a  speech  at  regimental  head-quarters.  Almost  the 
entire  brigade  was  present  to  hear  the  speech.  His 
subject  was,  "  The  Prospects  of  Peace,"  and  at  times 
during  his  discourse  he  was  loudly  cheered.  It  was 


520  BRIGADE  REVIEWS. 

ordered  that  the  guard  be  relieved  at  midnight,  so  as 
to  be  in  readiness  for  the  division  review  next  day. 

The  brigade  was  all  astir  by  sunrise  May  6th,  and 
at  seven  A.  M.  we  started  to  the  point  where  the  re- 
view of  the  division  was  to  take  place,  between  the 
Harding  and  Hillsboro  pikes,  near  the  suburbs  of  Nash- 
ville. The  review  was  quite  a  success;  all  went  off 
nicely,  and  it  was  thought  the  review  of  the  entire  4th 
Corps,  on  Monday,  the  8th,  would  prove  a  grand  affair. 
We  reached  camp  by  twelve  M.  John  P.  Jones,  of 
Company  C,  got  badly  hurt  on  this  day  by  being 
violently  thrown  by  a  mule  against  a  fence,  cutting  his 
scalp,  face,  and  nose,  which  jarred  him  so  severely  that 
he  was  in  a  measure  insensible  for  a  time.  His  wounds 
were  not  considered  dangerous. 

On  May  7th  another  brigade  review  was  had,  with 
General  Opdycke  as  the  reviewing  officer.  It  began 
raining  late  in  the  day,  and  continued  raining  next  day, 
May  8th,  and  the  review  of  the  corps  had  to  be  post- 
poned on  account  of  unfavorable  weather.  We  had 
brigade  drill  in  the  afternoon,  and  later  received 
notice  that  the  review  of  the  corps  would  take  place 
next  day. 

Tuesday,  May  9th,  opened  with  a  slightly  cloudy 
sky,  but  there  was  a  prospect  for  a  nice  day  for  a 
military  pageant  or  show.  Our  brigade  started  at  7.30 
A.  M.  for  the  reviewing  grounds,  near  Fort  Negley. 
We  reached  the  point  designated,  and  were  in  line  by 
9.30  A,  M.  The  1st  Division  formed  on  the  right  of 
ours,  and  the  3d  Division  on  our  left.  The  lines  as 
formed  were  reviewed  by  Major-General  Thomas,  he 
passing  us  at  about  10.45,  after  which  we  marched  by 
him,  in  review.  He  was  surrounded  by  his  staff  and  a 


OUR  LAST  CHARGE.  521 

throng  of  spectators.  As  a  close  to  the  exercises  of 
the  day,  General  Thomas  asked  General  Opdycke,  our 
brigade  commander,  to  deploy  his  command  in  line  of 
battle,  and  make  a  charge  as  near  like  those  of  an 
actual  battle  as  possible,  as  he  wished  to  see  one  more 
charge  made  by  the  4th  Army  Corps  or  a  representative 
portion  of  it.  The  movements  requested  were  im- 
mediately executed  by  deploying  the  88th  Illinois  as 
skirmishers,  and  the  36th  and  44th  Illinois,  and  the 
24th  Wisconsin,  and  125th  Ohio  deployed  in  line  of 
battle,  with  the  74th  and  73d  Illinois  closed  en  masse 
to  the  rear  as  support.  The  movements  and  parts  as- 
signed to  the  regiments  respectively  were  successfully 
executed,  and  General  Thomas  expressed  himself  as 
perfectly  satisfied  with  the  whole  performance.  We  re- 
turned to  camp,  and  by  three  P.  M.  had  begun  resting 
from  the  labors  of  the  day.  It  was  understood  all 
around  that  the  4th  Army  Corps  would  soon  be  dis- 
solved. Colonel  Jaquess  said  that  was  the  understand- 
ing at  corps  head-quarters,  and  he  had  been  assured 
that  the  breaking  up  of  the  grand  old  organization  was 
near  at  hand.  It  had  certainly  performed  in  a  credit- 
able manner  the  part  assigned  it,  achieving  and  es- 
tablishing a  glorious  record.  But  we  must  proceed. 

On  May  10th  there  was  no  additional  news,  nor  any 
orders  emanating  from  any  source,  high  or  low,  indicating 
the  date  of  our  muster  out  of  service.  All  were  be- 
coming anxious  for  the  date  to  arrive.  New  and  en- 
tirely different  plans  for  the  future  were  formed,  and 
the  projectors  were  impatient  to  begin  operations  under 
them.  All  the  data  about  this  time,  and  on  to  the  date 
of  our  final  leave-taking  from  "  Dixie,"  are  headed, 
"  Camp  Barker." 


522  DRILLS  AND  INSPECTIONS. 

Thursday,  May  llth,  the  weather  was  quite  disa- 
agreeable ;  a  cold,  drizzling  rain  interfered  with  our 
daily  routine  duty,  to  the  extent  of  preventing  our 
drill.  Nobody  cried  over  that,  however.  Next  day 
the  weather  admitted  of  battalion  drill  in  the  forenoon, 
and  company  drill  in  the  afternoon.  We  were  "taking 
time  by  the  forelock,"  getting  ready  for  the  next  war. 

On  Saturday,  May  13th,  we  had  company  drill  early 
in  the  day,  preparatory  to  an  inspection  on  Monday,  to 
be  made  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  and  reporting  our 
grade  or  per  cent  of  efficiency  in  drill ;  good  thing  to  do. 

Sunday,  May  14th,  was  a  beautiful  day.  Lieutenant 
Van  Winkle  returned  to  camp  from  Nashville  at  two 
P.  M.,  and  brought  a  dispatch  announcing  the  capture 
of  Jeff.  Davis  by  Colonel  Pritchard,  of  the  4th  Mich- 
igan Cavalry.  This  news  occasioned  general  rejoicing 
in  camp.  It  was  ascertained,  too,  that  Colonel  Jaquess 
had  been  detailed  to  serve  as  president  of  a  military 
commission  in  the  city.  He  had  reported  for  duty  on 
Saturday,  the  13th. 

We  were  up  early  on  Monday,  15th,  to  get  ready  for 
the  inspection  at  4.30  A.  M.  While  waiting  for  the . 
inspector,  we  had  company  drill  just  for  fun.  The  in- 
spector came  on  time,  and  gave  all  the  companies  in 
the  regiment  a  thorough  inspection  of  arms,  accouter- 
ments,  clothing,  military  appearance,  and  efficiency  in 
drill,  marking  each  company  and  officer  on  a  scale  from 
1  to  4  (1  very  efficient,  2  efficient,  3  inefficient,  and  4  very 
inefficient).  The  companies  were  marked  as  follows : 
A,  F,  I,  H,  C,  E,  K,  and  B  were  marked  number  2, 
G  was  marked  number  1,  and  D  was  marked  number  3. 
We  hit  all  the  numbers  except  4.  We  might  have 
made  that  if  we  had  tried  harder.  At  the  close  of  the 


BLANK  CARTRIDGES.  523 

inspection  we  were  told  our  regiment  stood  the  highest 
of  any  so  far  examined,  and  the  44th,  36th,  and  74th 
Illinois,  and  the  24th  Wisconsin  regiments  had  been  ex- 
amined, leaving,  of  the  brigade,  the  88th  Illinois  and 
the  125th  Ohio  to  be  examined. 

With  the  rank  and  file  there  was  quite  a  feeling 
against  the  order — or  its  projector — requiring  us  to  thus 
drill  and  submit  to  many  reviews  and  inspections. 
Many  thought  that,  as  we  had  cheerfully  done  and  sought 
to  do  all  that  was  required  of  us  in  times  of  battle, 
we  ought,  since  the  war  was  ended,  to  be  exempt  from 
such  exactions.  Others  thought,  and  all  or  nearly  all 
concluded,  it  was  best  to  obey  orders  as  always  thereto- 
fore, and  not  furnish  an  excuse  or  pretext  for  charges 
of  insubordination  right  at  the  very  close  of  a  term  of 
honorable  and  efficient  service.  General  Opdycke  was 
blamed — and  perhaps  duly,  if  blame  attached  at  all — for 
so  much  drill  by  our  brigade. 

In  the  afternoon  of  this  date — May  15th — many 
officers  of  the  regiment  and  some  of  the  men,  went  to 
Nashville  to  sample  the  fare  at  the  hotels  and  to  at- 
tend the  "  New  Theater."  The  suppers  provided  were 
pronounced  pretty  good  for  Nashville,  but  the  perform- 
ance at  the  New  Theater  was  denounced  as  an  unmiti- 
gated bore. 

Tuesday,  May  16th,  was  a  clear,  bright,  and  warm 
day.  We  had  battalion  drill  in  the  forenoon,  prepara- 
tory to  a  "sham  battle"  to  come  off  at  an  early  date. 
At  five  P.  M.  the  entire  brigade  was  out,  each  man 
being  provided  with  ten  rounds  of  blank  cartridges. 
We  were  drilled  by  General  Opdycke,  in  the  forma- 
tion of  oblique  and  echelon  squares,  and  in  firing  from 
same  ;  marching  in  line  of  battle,  and  firing  by  volley  as 


524  BRIGADE  DRILL. 

we  marched.  General  Opdycke  grew  impatient,  became 
angry  in  fact,  at  some  of  the  regimental  commanders, 
and  swore  like  a  trooper ;  but  it  did  no  good,  it  only 
made  matters  worse. 

On  May  17th  we  received  orders  to  turn  in  all  equip- 
ments for  pack-mules  to  the  proper  officer  at  two  P.  M., 
and  to  turn  the  mules  over  next  morning  at  six  o'clock. 
This  was  an  indication  pointing  to  a  muster  out  of 
service  sooner  or  later.  A  thunder-shower  came  up  just 
in  time,  and  continued  long  enough  to  prevent  our  hav- 
ing battalion  drill,  as  was  ordered. 

On  Thursday,  the  18th,  Captain  Kyger,  in  the  good- 
ness of  his  heart,  acknowledged  to  having  punished  Ser- 
geants Sheets  and  Hasty,  and  Corporal  Hewitt  and 
Privates  Judd  and  Reagan,  unnecessarily,  for  not  going 
on  drill.  He  had  caused  the  soldiers  named  to  march 
back  and  forth  in  front  of  the  quarters  of  the  line 
officers. 

May  19th,  rain  prevented  our  drilling.  At  five  P.  M. 
the  whole  brigade  marched  to  the  drill-ground,  but  a 
heavy  shower  came  up  just  at  the  right  time  to  "knock 
the  drill  endways."  We  had  to  hurry  back  to  camp. 
There  was  no  rain  May  20th,  but  the  ground  was  in 
an  unfit  condition  for' drill,  owing  to  the  rain  of  the 
previous  night. 

On  the  20th  we  had  an  order  calling  for  a  report  of 
the  quantity  and  condition  of  all  camp  and  garrison 
equipage  and  quartermaster  stores  on  hand,  April  30th. 

Had  the  appearance  of  more  settled  weather  on 
May  22d,  so  much  so  that  we  had  brigade  drill  in  the 
afternoon.  There  was  no  "  grape-vine  "  or  other  news 
on  the  23d.  Orders  to  make  out  extra  descriptive  lists 
for  all  absentees  were  received. 


RAIL-MAKING  f  525 

May  24th  was  the  date  on  which  it  was  soughtrto 
have  a  detail  of  soldiers  from  our  brigade  make  rails  to 
replace  those  that  had  been  burned  by  the  brigade. 
The  owner  made  a  loud  complaint  to  General  Elliott 
about  the  loss  of  his  rails,  and  nothing  would  mollify 
him  but  an  assurance  on  General  Elliott's  part  that  the 
rails  should  be  replaced,  the  aggrieved  party  to  furnish 
the  trees  and  mark  them,  out  of  which  the  rails  should 
be  made.  A  captain  of  the  125th  Ohio,  a  lieutenant 
of  the  36th  Illinois,  and  W.  H.  Newlin,  of  the  73d, 
were  the  three  officers  detailed ;  a  hundred  men  from 
the  brigade  completed  the  detail.  Tools  being  pro- 
vided, the  detail  repaired  to  the  woods,  a  fine  tract 
of  land,  thickly  covered  with  tall,  stately,  and  valuable 
trees.  The  trees  marked  were  cut  down,  and  many 
more,  and  nearly  all  the  trees  of  any  size  on  ten  acres 
were  thoroughly  "girdled."  A  few  rail  cuts,  ten  or  a 
dozen,  of  various  lengths,  ranging  from  nine  to  fourteen 
feet,  were  chopped  off,  but  not  a  rail  was  made.  There 
would  have  been,  perhaps,  had  the  owner  of  the  plan- 
tation not  petitioned  to  have  the  rail-making  stopped. 
He  concluded  he  did  not  want  new  rails  made  as  badly 
as  he  thought.  The  detail  was  recalled  immediately, 
the  names  of  all  the  men  were  taken  down,  and  the 
three  officers  were  deprived  of  their  swords,  and  ordered 
under  arrest,  being  restricted  to  quarters  and  the  com- 
pany camp — not  allowed  to  go  to  Nashville,  not  allowed 
to  drill  even.  There  were  some  threats  or  talk  of  a 
court-martial  and  cashiering,  but  after  about  ten  days 
the  officers  were  released  from  arrest,  after  hearing  a 
lecture  from  General  Opdycke.  Missing  all  that  drill 
was  punishment  enough.  It  is  just  to  state  that  these 
officers  had  no  idea  of  the  extent  of  the  malicious  mis- 


526  D.  M.  HAWORTH  A GA IN. 

chief  done  until  their  attention  was  called  to  it  by  the 
ex-Confederate  citizen. 

In  Cassaday's  diary,  we  find  the  rail-making  venture 
treated  thus : 

"  Batallion  drill  in  the  morning,  and  a  large  detail  of  men  to 
split  rails  in  the  afternoon,  to  replace  rails  that  the  brigade  had 
destroyed  previously  for  a  citizen.  The  boys  thought  they  were 
being  imposed  on  in  so  doing,  and  the  consequence  was  that  the 
detail  of  one  hundred  men  made  only  thirteen  rails,  and  they 
were  log-size  at  one  end,  and  at  the  other  end  they  run  to  a  point ; 
but  they  succeeded  in  destroying  forty  acres  of  valuable  timber. 
In  the  meantime,  the  citizen  concluded,  after  he  saw  the  '  way  it 
was  done,'  that  he  would  rather  make  his  own  rails  than  have 
United  States  soldiers  make  them  for  nothing." 

"  Soldier,  will  you  work  ?"  was  a  very  common 
hackneyed  expression  during  the  remainder  of  our  stay 
at  Camp  Harker. 

Nothing  transpired  on  the  25th  worthy  of  note.  It 
rained  nearly  the  entire  day.  No  applications  for 
rail-makers  were  presented.  A  cool  north  wind  pre- 
vailed on  the  26th.  It  was  rather  comfortable  to  stand 
near  the  fires.  David  M.  Haworth,  of  the  3d  East 
Tennessee  Infantry,  visited  Company  C  again.  He  was 
on  his  way  to  his  home  in  East  Tennessee,  having  been 
mustered  out  of  service.  David's  father  and  family 
went  on  this  date  from  Nashville  to  East  Tennessee, 
David  himself,  with  the  baggage,  to  follow.  An  order 
was  received  to  prepare  all  papers  necessary  for  muster 
out  of  service. 

May  27th  was  an  uneventful  day  in  camp.  The 
weather,  early  in  the  day,  was  almost  cool  enough  for 
frost.  On  May  28th  we  had  company  inspection. 
Had  company  drill  in  forenoon  of  29th,  and  brigade 
drill  in  the  afternoon.  The  household  effects  belonging 


•  MUSTER-OUT  ROLLS.  527 

to  his  father's  family  having  come  up  from  Illinois, 
David  M.  Haworth  took  his  final  leave  of  us  for  his 
East  Tennessee  home.  William  Ruby,  of  the  31st  In- 
diana Infantry,  was  in  our  camp  visiting  Captain  Kyger 
and  tarrying  for  supper.  All  quiet  May  31st;  there 
was  no  news  and  no  drill. 

Thursday,  June  1st,  was  the  day  appointed  by  the 
President  as  a  National  fast-day.  All  was  as  quiet  in 
camp  as  was  usual  on  a  Sabbath  in  Illinois.  Camp- 
guard  duty  was  all  that  was  required  on  this  date. 

June  2d,  Captains  Bennett  and  Kyger  paid  a  visit 
to  the  79th  Illinois,  finding  that  regiment  all  right. 
They  called  on  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Lamb,  at  3d  brigade 
head-quarters,  and  had  an  agreeable  visit.  Instructions 
were  sent  around  to  make  our  muster-out  rolls,  said 
rolls  to  be  submitted  to  Captain  Chickering,  the  corps 
commissary  of  musters,  for  approval.  These  instruc- 
tions entailed  quite  a  great  deal  of  work  on  company 
officers,  mostly  writing.  One  correct  roll  being  made, 
several  copies  had  to  be  prepared. 

Saturday,  June  3d,  was  spent  in  preparing  muster- 
out  papers.  In  some  of  the  companies  this  work  was 
almost  completed,  when  an  order  was  sent  out  making  a 
different  disposition  of  the  recruits  from  that  originally 
intended,  which  made  the  work  done  on  this  date  use- 
less. On  Sunday,  the  4th,  much  work  was  done  on  the 
rolls.  At  Company  C  head-quarters  it  was  thought  and 
hoped  the  work  would  not  have  to  be  done  over.  It 
was  found  difficult  to  make  the  history  of  each  man,  as 
required. 

On  Monday,  June  5th,  some  of  the  company  muster- 
out  rolls  were  submitted  to  the  proper  officer,  to  see  if 
they  met  the  requirements.  Company  C  rolls  were 


528  VERY  TEDIOUS  WORK. 

pronounced  all  right,  except  that  part  relating  to,  or 
making  disposition  of,  the  recruits.  "Never  was  more 
tired  than  I  am  to-night  by  writing,"  was  Kyger's  re- 
mark when  told  of  the  defect  named.  Eight  rolls  were 
required  for  each  company,  and  eight  for  each  officer. 
All,  both  men  and  officers,  were  now  becoming  very 
impatient  to  get  started  homeward.  The  impatience 
in  some  cases  amounted  almost  to  homesickness. 

Close  application  to  business  marked  June  6th,  the 
business  being  making  and  perfecting  rolls.  The  88th 
Illinois  was  mustered  out  on  this  date.  We  were  ex- 
pecting to  be  ready  by  next  day  for  muster.  The 
88th  muster-out  rolls  to  date,  June  9th,  1865. 

We  will  copy  Kyger's  diary  in  full  from  the  7th  to 
the  17th  of  June,  1865,  inclusive,  the  entry  for  the 
latter  date  being  the  last  one  made  for  the  three 
years  : 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  Wednesday,  June  7, 
1865. — Up  early,  and  finished  up  our  rolls,  ready  to  muster  by 
noon.  Companies  A,  F,  D.  I,  C,  and  H  were  mustered  out  by 
Captain  Wilson,  of  the  36th  Illinois.  C  was  mustered  at  five  P.  M. 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Thursday,  June  8,  1865. — Up 
early  again  to  finish  up  our  rolls.  Went  to  the  88th  Illinois  and 
got  blanks  for  the  lieutenant  and  myself;  finished  them  up  by  two 
P.  M.  E,  K,  G,  and  B  were  mustered  out  this  morning.  Orders 
came  from  General  Elliott  to  transfer  our  recruits  to  the  44th 
Illinois.  W.  R.  Cook  went  to  Company  C,  44th.  I  feel  sorry 
that  we  have  to  leave  him  His  captain's  name  is  Mills. 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  Friday,  June  9, 
1865. — Wrote  to-day  on  my  descriptive  book.  After  finishing  up 
our  rolls,  Captains  Tilton,  Bennett,  Cross,  and  myself  went  to 
division  head-quarters.  I  went  to  make  some  changes  in  my  rolls 
in  regard  to  C.  W.  Cook,  as  he  returned  to  duty  on  the  8th  inst. 
The  88th  is  to  be  off  to-morrow. 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Tennessee,  Saturday,  June  10, 
1865.— The  88th  started  from  camp  at  two  A.  M;  74th  did  not 


OFF  FOR  ILLINOIS.  529 

get  off  as  expected.  Spent  the  day  writing.  Feel  much  relieved 
by  getting  along  so  nicely  with  papers. 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Sunday,  June  11,  1865. — The 
74th  Illinois  left  for  Chicago  at  two  this  morning.  We  have  our 
transportation,  and  are  to  go  at  four  P.  M.  to-morrow  from  depot. 
Sent  our  baggage  all  down  before  night.  Wm.  Kuby  called  on  us, 
and  took  dinner,  and  stayed  until  evening.  We  have  received 
our  rolls,  approved ;  they  date  June  12,  1865.  This  is  our  last 
day  in  the  United  States  service.  We  took  our  suppers  under  the 
old  elm-tree,  remarking :  '  It  is  the  last  one  for  us  while  in  the  field.' 
Our  mess  of  two  years  has  this  evening  dissolved.  We  will  stop 
in  our  old  beds  until  one  in  the  morning,  but  will  have  no  shelter 
over  us. 

"  Camp  Harker,  near  Nashville,  Monday,  June  12,  1865. — Up  at 
1.15  A.  M.;  strike-tent  call  sounded;  at  two  we  were  off  for  rail- 
road depot;  arrived  at  four  A.  M.  The  73i  got  on  seven  cars, 
second-class ;  79th  Illinois  are  on  the  same  section.  The  officers  of 
both  regiments  occupy  one  car ;  seats  have  backs,  but  no  cushions. 
Moved  from  dep^t  at  4.30  A.  M.,  and  halted  in  Edgefield  until 
six,  when  we  moved  out.  Did  not  arrive  in  Louisville  until  1.30 
A.  M.  of  the  13th.  Had  no  accident. 

"Louisville,  Kentucky,  Tuesday,  June  13,  1865. — The  boys  took 
breakfast  at  the  Soldiers'  Home.  Moved  down  to  the  ferry,  and 
crossed  over  to  Jeffersonville  by  eischt  A.  M.,  and  at  ten  we  were 
aboard  box-cars  and  off  for  Indianapolis ;  arrived  at  ten  P.  M. 
Great  manifestations  of  joy  along  the  road  were  made,  the  citizens 
exhibiting  their  flags,  waving  their  handkerchiefs,  and  cheering. 
At  Franklin,  Indiana,  there  was  a  great  number  of  young  ladies 
collected.  We  remained  in  the  cars  at  Indianapolis  the  remainder 
of  the  night. 

"  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  Wednesday,  June  14,  1865. — At  day- 
light this  morning  we  were  on  the  side-track  near  Indianapolis 
and  Lafayette  Depot;  remained  there  until  7.30  A.  M.,  when  we 
moved  off  for  Lafayette.  Arrived  at  Lafayette  at  twelve  M.  Had  to 
wait  until  1.45  P.  M.  before  moving  down  on  the  Western  [now 
Wabash]  Railway.  Arrived  at  Danville,  Illinois,  at  five  P.  M.; 
halted  merely  long  enough  to  put  off  Sergeant  Maudlin,  who  was 
sick.  I  met  McKee,  John  Short,  A.  McDonald,  Neal  Baldwin, 
A.  H.  Guy,  and  many  other  old  acquaintances,  but  did  not  get 
to  spend  a  but  moment  with  them.  Danville  was  alive,  and  gave 
us  a  hearty  welcome  by  flocking  toward  the  depot,  but  I  did  not 

34 


530  AT  CAMP  B UTLER. 

get  to  see  brother  Dan.  Catlin  was  the  next  point  where  we  met 
old  acquaintances;  only  halted  a  few  moments.  At  every  house, 
as  far  as  we  could  *see  from  the  road,  flags,  handkerchiefs,  and 
hats  were  waving.  Cheer  after  cheer  from  the  soldiers  went  out 
in  response,  and  were  answered  by  men,  women,  and  children; 
even  the  babies  of  not  over  three  summers  old  would  clap  their 
little  hands  in  evidence  of  their  joy  at  the  sight  of  our  return. 
Like  demonstrations  were  kept  up  until  after  dark.  After  passing 
Bement,  lieutenant  and  myself  spread  a  half  shelter-tent  out  on 
top  a  of  car  and  lay  down,  covered  with  a  wool  blanket,  and  soon  were 
asleep.  Here  ended  all  consciousness  of  passing  events  for  the  14th. 

"  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  Thursday,  June  15,  1865. — At  four 
o'clock  this  morning  we  were  awakened  by  hearing  the  men  yelling 
'  We  are  at  Camp  Butler !'  '  We  are  at  CAMP  BUTLER  !'  followed 
by  cheering.  We  got  off  cars,  unloaded  baggage ;  by  this  time  it 
was  daylight  and  we  moved  into  the  grove  about  two  hundred 
yards  north  of  the  station,  and  pitched  our  tents,  as  we  think,  for 
the  last  time.  By  eleven  o'clock  A.M.  lieutenant  and  myself  had  our 
tent  comfortably  arranged.  Major  Burroughs  went  to  Springfield 
to  hasten,  if  possible,  the  examination  of  our  rolls.  At  4.30  P.  M. 
he  returned  with  them  for  the  signatures  of  the  men.  The  rolls 
throughout  the  regiment  were,  without  exception,  found  correct. 
We  had  all  the  men  present  sign  our  rolls ;  have  eight  absent  on 
'  French,'  which,  we  are  afraid,  will  delay  our  payment  until  they 
return,  or  at  least  give  me  much  trouble.  Lieutenant,  Corporal 
Ellis,  and  myself  went  to  the  Sangamon,  and  had  a  nice  swim,  at 
sunset.  The  lllth  and  115th  Regiments  came  in  this  evening. 
9  P.  M. — None  of  the  expected  'French'  boys  have  arrived.  The 
73d  is  three  hundred  and  three  strong.  Raining. 

"  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  Friday,  June  16,  1865. — Had  a  good 
night's  rest.  The  absent  boys  all  came  up  on  the  7.30  train  this 
morning,  except  Maudlin,  who  was  not  able  to  come.  Our  pay- 
rolls are  signed,  and  Major  Burroughs  is  going  to  Springfield  with 
them.  At  4.30  P.  M.  Governor  Oglesby,  Adjutant-General 
Haynie,  and  Brevet  Brigadier-General  Oakes,  chief  commissary  of 
musters,  came  to  Camp  Butler  and  made  short  speeches  to  the 
regiments,  the  73d,  79th,  lllth,  and  115th,  at  the  head-quarters 
of  the  115th.  Major  Burroughs  returned,  and  reports  that  we  will 
be  paid  next  Monday.  I  received  the  ordnance  to-day  of  the  men, 
preparatory  to  turning  it  in  to-morrow. 

"  Camp  Butler,  Illinois,  Saturday,  June  17,  1865. — Brother  Dan 


ORDNANCE  TURNED  OVER. 


531 


came  up  to  see  me  on  the  7.30  A.  M.  train.  Each  company  com- 
mander put  his  ordnance  in  a  wagon,  and  took  it  to  Springfield, 
and  there  turned  it  over  to  the  ordnance  officer.  The  wagon  started 
at  8.30,  and  we  went  up  on  the  accommodation  train.  Turned 
ordnance  in  by  twelve  M.  Dan  and  I  went  to  the  Chenery  House 
for  dinner;  also  Captain  Tiltou.  After  dinner,  Captain  Tilton 
and  myself  went  to  General  Oakes's  head-quarters  to  get  our  books 


MAJOR   WILSON    BURROUGHS. 

and  papers,  and  were  to  meet  Dan  in  the  room  at  State-house, 
where  Lincoln's  body  lay  in  state.  Unfortunately  we  missed 
him,  and  the  train  also.  We  came  to  camp  in  a  hack,  expecting 
to  meet  Dan  there;  but  not  so." 

A    clipping  from   the  Chicago   Tribune,  dated  June 
23,  1865,  reads : 

"The  following  regiments  and  detachments  are  still  at  Camp 
Butler    awaiting   payment:     73d,   Major   Burroughs,    357   men; 


532          THE  PREACHER  REGIMENT. 

lllth,  Lieutenant-Colonel  J.  F.  Black,  555  men;  115th,  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel G.  A.  Puteelker,  400  men  ;  116th,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Jno.  Madder,  394  men ;  detachment  of  12th  Cavalry,  Captain 
W.  L.  Richards,  49  men ;  detachment  of  2d  Cavalry,  1st  Lieuten- 
ant Dement,  102  men ;  detachment  5th  Cavalry,  Lieutenant  H. 
Martin,  69  men ;  detachment  of  5th  Cavalry,  Lieutenant  John  L. 
Down,  24  men.  Governor  Oglesby  has  just  received  a  dispatch 
informing  him  that,  in  response  to  his  application,  four  additional 
paymasters  will  be  sent  here  immediately." 

Of  the  infantry  regiments  named,  the  73d  had  the 
smallest  number,  three  hundred  and  fifty-seven  men, 
which  is  fifty-four  men  more  than  was  stated  by 
Kyger,  on  June  15th,  as  being  then  present,  from 
which  it  may  be  inferred  that  all  the  men  who  had 
availed  themselves  of  "  French  leave  "  had  returned  to 
camp.  Some  men  who  had  been  serving  on  details 
had  probably  been  sent  to  the  regiment  in  the  mean- 
time, to  be  mustered  out.  All  the  men  reporting  to  the 
regiment  for  muster-out  signed  the  rolls,  and  on  or  about 
June  24,  1865,  the  men  of  the  73d  were  paid  off  in 
full,  and  started,  the  same  day,  or  early  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  for  their  homes.  On  June  26th  the  payment 
of  the  commissioned  officers  was  completed,  and  same 
day  most  of  them,  if  not  all,  started  for  their  homes. 

Thus  faded  out  and  vanished  from  sight  the  organi- 
zation known  as  the  "Preacher  Regiment," — the  73d 
Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  Its  record  remains ;  its 
deeds  of  valor,  of  constancy,  and  devotion  are  part  of 
the  history  and  part  of  the  heritage  of  the  Nation. 
This  chapter  concludes  the  history  of  the  regiment  as 
an  organization;  the  succeeding  chapters  of  this  work 
being  devoted  to.  miscellaneous  subjects,  personal  ex- 
periences, adventures,  and  services.  As  we  have  seen, 
it  required  two  engines  or  two  trains  to  convey  the 


LINCOLN,  L  0  YAL  T  Y,  AND  PA  TRIO  T1SM.  533 

regiment  from  the  Prairie  State  to  the  theater  of  war. 
The  war  over,  one  train,  no  longer  than  either  of  the 
two  mentioned,  conveyed  the  73d  and  the  79th  back 
to  Illinois.  This  fact  very  forcibly  recalled  to  mind 
our  missing  comrades,  and  proved  that  nearly  two-thirds 
of  our  original  number  had,  from  various  causes,  dropped 
from  our  ranks,  as  shown  by  roster  and  table  in  chap- 
ter i.  On  our  return  to  Illinois  the  absence  of  these  was 
most  noticeable,  and  amid,  or  running  through,  our  gen- 
eral rejoicing  was  a  tinge  of  sadness  and  grief  occasioned 
by  the  reflection  that  so  many  comrades  who  had  stood 
at  our  side  in  early  or  later  struggles,  had  been  killed 
in  battle,  or  died  of  wounds  or  disease.  Of  the  large 
number  of  men  who  were  discharged  from  the  regiment 
on  account  of  wounds  and  disease,  we  should  see  many  ; 
but  the  dead — they  could  be  with  us  on  earth  no  more, 
only  in  sad,  precious,  and  grateful  memory. 

As  we  have  already  recorded,  on  going  to  the  front  we 
received  the  cheers  of  encouragement,  the  farewells,  and 
the  benedictions  of  the  people.  On  our  return  by  the 
same  route,  we  were  tendered  almost  an  unending 
ovation.  We  were  greeted  with  cheers  and  shouts  of 
welcome  and  approval.  Our  three  years  of  toil,  priva- 
tion, and  danger  closed;  the  great  Rebellion  was  put 
down;  we  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and  with 
thousands  of  other  soldiers,  loyal,  good,  and  true,  re- 
turned to  civil  life,  to  help  repair  and  build,  and  last — 
not  least — to  inculcate  lessons  of  loyalty,  duty,  and 
patriotism  in  the  minds  of  rising  generations  of  our 
countrymen.  Before  starting  home  from  Camp  Butler, 
or  Springfield,  we  availed  ourselves  of  the  opportunity 
of  visiting  the  tomb  and  looking  on  the  face  of  the 
martyred  President,  Abraham  Lincoln. 


534  JAMES  F.  JAQUESS, 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

COLONEL  JAMES  F.  JAQUESS — HIS  LIFE  AND  SERVICES — MINISTER, 
EDUCATOR,  SOLDIER — HIS  VISIT  TO  RICHMOND  IN  1864  AND 
INTERVIEW  WITH  JEFFERSON  DAVIS — THE  OBJECT  AND  RESULTS 
OF  HIS  MISSION — THE  COLONEL'S  CAREER  SINCE  THE  WAR — THE 
REUNION  AT  FAIRMOUNT  IN  1889. 

JAMES  FRAZIER  JAQUESS  was  born  near  Evansville, 
Indiana,  November  18,  1819.  His  grandfather,  Jona- 
than Jaquess,  with  a  large  family  of  grown-up  sons  and 
daughters,  emigrated  to  that  region  from  Kentucky  in 
the  year  1815,  bringing  with  him  what  was  in  that  day  a 
large  fortune.  He  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land,  and 
settled  his  children  on  farms  around  him,  where  he 
lived  in  a  truly  patriarchal  style  in  their  midst  for  nearly 
thirty  years.  Jonathan  Jaquess  was  an  ardent  Meth- 
odist, and  named  his  sons  after  the  bishops  and  noted 
divines  of  that  denomination.  One  of  these  sons,  Jon- 
athan Garrettson  Jaquess,  was  the  father  of  the  future 
colonel. 

The  boy,  James,  grew  up  to  manhood  on  a  farm, 
disciplined  to  hard  work,  good  morals,  and  strict  the- 
ology. After  a  preparatory  course  of  education  at  the 
country  schools,  he  entered  the  oldest  and  best-endowed 
college  in  the  West,  located  at  Greencastle,  Indiana,  and 
known  to  fame  as  "  Indiana  Asbury  University."  Here 
he  pursued  the  full  classical  course,  and  graduated  with 
high  honors  in  the  class  of  1845.  He  afterwards  re- 
ceived from  his  alma  mater  the  degrees  of  A.  M. 
and  D.  D. 


LAWYER,  MINISTER,  EDUCATOR.  535 

Young  Jaquess  had  intended  to  be  a  lawyer,  and 
pursued  the  study  of  his  chosen  profession  with  such 
diligence,  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1846. 
But  a  strong  religious  conviction  forced  a  change  in  his 
plans,  and  without  entering  upon  active  practice,  he 
studied  divinity,  and  in  1847  was  licensed  to  preach, 
and  admitted  to  the  Illinois  Conference  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 

He  was  twice  married — first,  before  his  graduation,  to 
Mary  Sciple,  who  lived  but  two  years  thereafter ;  and 
again,  about  the  time  he  entered  the  ministry,  to  Sarah 
E.  Steel,  who  still  survives.  His  only  child  by  the  first 
marriage  was  a  daughter,  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Henry  A. 
Castle,  of  Saint  Paul,  Minnesota;  and  his  only  child  by 
the  second  marriage  was  his  son  William,  the  "  drum- 
mer-boy "  of  the  73d,  now  residing  at  Tunica,  Missis- 
sippi. 

After  two  years  of  "circuit-riding"  in  Southern 
Illinois,  Mr.  Jaquess  was.  in  1849,  chosen  president  of 
Illinois  Female  College  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  and 
entered  at  once  upon  its  responsible  duties.  Here  he 
remained  for  six  years,  and  achieved  an  unqualified 
success.  Hundreds  of  educated  and  accomplished 
women,  scattered  through  the  whole  Mississippi  Valley 
and  beyond,  look  back  to  their  student-life  at  Jackson- 
ville with  tender  memories,  and  still  regard  President 
and  Mrs.  Jaquess  with  veneration,  as  their  parents  in 
good  manners  and  elegant  learning. 

Resigning  this  position  in  1855,  Mr.  Jaquess  preached 
for  one  year  at  Paris,  Edgar  County,  Illinois,  and  was 
then  prevailed  on  to  re-enter  the  educational  field.  A 
new  Methodist  college  had  been  established  at  Quincy, 
Illinois,  based  upon  the  then  new  idea  of  co-education. 


536  CHAPLAIN  JA Q UESS. 

It  was  a  male  and  female  college  of  high  grade,  and  Mr. 
Jaquess  was  elected  president.  He  retained  this  posi- 
tion, adding  to  his  reputation  for  profound  erudition 
and  executive  ability,  until  he  resigned  it  to  enter  the 
military  service  in  1861. 

During  his  whole  career  as  a  preacher  and  teacher, 
Mr.  Jaquess  was  a  man  of  strongly  marked  individ- 
uality. His  address  was  polished  and  winning,  his 
presence  magnetic  to  a  marked  degree.  He  influenced 
all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact,  and  made  friends 
by  the  thousand  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  He  was 
in  great  demand  in  the  pulpit  and  on  the  platform,  his 
oratory  being  of  the  earnest,  electric  kind,  that  was  popu- 
lar with  all  classes  of  people,  from  the  ripest  scholar  to 
the  humblest  laborer  or  frontiersman.  He  was  never 
abashed  in  any  company,  and  no  man  ever  felt  abashed 
in  his.  He  took  a  living  interest  in  all  public  affairs; 
but  in  his  chosen  sphere  as  a  Christian  minister  he 
shone  to  unsurpassed  advantage.  Whenever  it  was  an- 
nounced that  he  was  to  preach,  whether  at  a  city  church, 
a  cross-road  school-house,  or  a  backwoods  camp-meeting, 
hundreds  flocked  to  hear,  and  went  away  to  praise. 

In  September,  1861,  Mr.  Jaquess  was  commissioned 
by  Governor  Richard  Yates,  his  long-time  and  intimate 
personal  friend,  at  Jacksonville,  as  chaplain  of  the  6th 
Illinois  Cavalry.  This  opened  an  opportunity  for  an 
approach  to  the  scene  of  active  warfare,  and  at  the 
same  time  for  a  wide  sphere  of  religious  usefulness, 
which  he  accepted  with  alacrity.  He  spent  the  winter 
with  his  regiment  in  Kentucky.  Late  in  March,  1862, 
Chaplain  Jaquess,  having  received,  through  rebel  citi- 
zens at  Paducah,  intimations  of  the  proposed  attack  on 


PERSEVERANCE  REWARDED.  537 

Grant  at  Pittsburg  Landing,  hastened  thither,  arriving 
just  before  the  historic  battle  of  Shiloh.  He  remained 
on  the  field  during  that  battle,  rendering  conspicuous 
service  in  organizing  for  the  care  of  the  wounded,  and 
receiving  his  first  "  baptism  of  fire  "  in  the  shape  of  a 
bullet-hole  through  his  hat. 

After  Shiloh,  feeling  his  military  ardor  aroused,  and 
better  appreciating  the  desperate  character  of  the  strug- 
gle in  which  the  country  was  engaged,  our  patriotic  chap- 
lain asked  the  privilege  of  raising  and  commanding  a 
"Methodist  Regiment"  for  the  war.  Recruiting  was 
suspended  at  that  time,  but  Governor  Yates  secured 
from  President  Lincoln  permission  to  raise  a  special 
regiment,  and  the  embryo  colonel  set  to  work  with  his 
accustomed  energy  and  enthusiasm,  about  June  1, 
1862.  He  succeeded  poorly  at  first.  It  was  the  busy 
harvest  season  in  Southern  Illinois.  The  enlistment 
fever  of  a  few  months  before  had  been  cooled  down  by 
the  refusal  of  the  authorities  to  accept  any  more 
soldiers.  Many  proposed  captains  attempted  to  raise 
their  companies,  but  failed,  and  others  were  authorized 
to  try  in  different  localities.  Perseverance  and  the 
process  of  consolidating  squads  seemed  about  to  suc- 
ceed, however,  when,  as  August  approached,  the  sudden 
issue  of  the  President's  call  for  three  hundred  thousand 
men,  soon  followed  by  another  call  for  as  many  more, 
swelled  each  meagre  squad  into  an  overflowing  com- 
pany, which  soon  confronted  the  new  colonel  with  an 
embarassment  of  martial  riches.  The  companies  ren- 
dezvoused at  Camp  Butler  early  in  August,  as  else- 
where narrated,  and  were  formed  into  the  73d  Regi- 
ment of  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers. 


538  INDORSED  BY  CONGRESSMEN. 

The  story  of  Colonel  Jaquess's  service  with  the  regi- 
ment is  told  in  the  other  chapters  of  this  book.  This 
chapter  is  devoted  to  his  biography,  and  to  such  epi- 
sodes of  his  army  life  as  were  not  directly  connected 
with  the  regiment  in  the  field,  notably  his  secret  serv- 
ice, and  his  celebrated  visit  to  Richmond,  in  1864. 
One  or  two  other  matters,  not  related  elsewhere,  may 
with  propriety  be  briefly  mentioned  here. 

In  April,  1864,  while  the  regiment  was  encamped  at 
Loudon,  Tennessee,  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  Illinois 
regiments  was  held,  with  Major  Henry  A.  Rust  (27th 
Illinois),  of  Chicago,  as  president,  and  Captain  J. 
Morris  Morgan  (22d  Illinois),  of  Alton,  as  secretary. 
This  meeting  adopted  the  following  resolution,  which 
was  sent  home  and  published  in  nearly  all  the  papers 
of  Illinois  : 

"  Resolved,  That  having  seen  the  name  of  Colonel  J.  F. 
Jaquess,  73d  Illinois,  mentioned  in  the  press  of  our  State  as  a  can- 
didate for  Congress  from  the  State  at  large,  we  recognize  in  Colo- 
nel Jaquess  the  brave  and  accomplished  soldier,  the  Christian  gen- 
tleman and  scholar,  the  man  of  pure  and  elevated  patriotism, 
characteristics  peculiarly  fitting  him  for  a  seat  in  the  councils  of 
the  Nation  at  this  perilous  crisis,  and  though,  for  the  present, 
deprived  of  the  privileges  of  citizenship,  yet  while  fighting  for  the 
very  existence  of  the  State,  we  claim  the  right  to  be  heard,  and 
we  ask  that  the  merits  of  our  gallant  brother  in  arms,  whose  devo- 
tion to  his  country  has  been  sealed  in  actual  bloody  contact  with 
its  enemies,  be  recognized  in  his  nomination  by  the  Union  State 
Convention  which  meets  at  Springfield  on  the  25th  of  May  next." 

This  action  was  taken  without  the  knowledge  or 
solicitation  of  Colonel  Jaquess,  and,  of  course,  could  not 
be  followed  up  by  the  eifective  personal  canvass  at 
home  necessary  to  success.  Nevertheless,  a  very  con- 
siderable vote  was  cast  for  him  at  the  convention. 
This  was  the  only  instance,  we  believe,  in  his  career 


BOY  OF  CHICKAMAUGA.  539 

when   he  was  even  impliedly  a  candidate  for  political 
office. 

At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  the  colonel's  fourteen- 
year-old  son,  Willie,  the  drummer-boy  of  Company  H 
(now  clerk  of  the  district  court  of  Tunica  County,  Mis- 
sissippi), was  cnptured  by  the  rebels  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight.  This  incident  was  afterwards  made  the  sub- 
ject of  a  juvenile  romance  entitled  "The  Boy  of  Chick- 
amauga," which  had  a  wide  circulation.  The  following 
beautiful  description  of  the  event  was  written  on  the 
field  by  B.  F.  Taylor,  the  famous  war  correspondent  of 
the  Chicago  Journal,  and  published  in  that  paper : 

"Beside  Colonel  Jaquess,  of  the  73d  Illinois,  rode  his  son,  a 
lad,  a  bright,  brave  little  fellow,  who  believed  in  his  father  and 
feared  nothing.  Right  up  to  the  enemy,  right  up  anywhere,  if 
the  father  went,  there  rode  the  boy.  But  when  the  bullets  swept 
in  sheets,  and  grape  and  canister  cut  rugged  roads  through  the 
columns  of  blue  and  splashed  them  with  red,  the  father  bade  his 
young  orderly  back  out  of  the  fiery  gust.  The  boy  wheeled  his 
horse  aod  rode  for  the  hospital;  the  hospital  was  captured,  and  the 
boy  is  a  prisoner.  Poor  little  waif;  flung  out  by  the  turbulent  sea 
of  war  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy !  I  know  not  if  the  boy  has  a 
mother ;  but,  if  not,  there  are  gentle,  womanly  hearts  enough  in 
the  land  to  ache  for  the  little  prisoner,  and  to  pray  that  the  slip 
of  a  boy  may  be  set  down  safely  again  beside  the  stout  colonel." 

Which  he  was,  a  few  days  later,  having  escaped  by 
stratagem  from  his  custodians. 

But  it  is  time  to  begin  our  story  of  the  visit  to 
Richmond.  In  May,  1863,  Colonel  Jaquess,  by  letter 
and  by  personal  interview,  interested  General  Rose- 
crans,  the  commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland, 
in  his  idea  that,  by  a  personal  visit  to  the  South,  he 
could  commit  influential  men  there  to  an  extensive 
peace  movement,  and  possibly  secure  from  the  rebel 
leaders  some  unofficial  overtures  in  that  direction.  At 


540  A  MORAL  FORCE. 

length  General  Rosecrans  sent  by  a  messenger  to  Wash- 
ington the  following  letter : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND,  \ 
MURFREESBORO,  TENNESSEE,  May  21,  1863.  J 

To  His  EXCELLENCY,  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  : 

"The  Rev.  Dr.  Jaquess,  commanding  the  73d  Illinois — a  man 
of  character — has  submitted  to  me  a  letter  proposing  a  personal 
mission  to  the  South.  After  maturely  weighing  his  plan  and  con- 
sidering well  his  character,  I  am  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  the 
public  interests  will  be  promoted  by  permitting  him  to  go  as  he 
proposes. 

"  I  do  not  anticipate  the  results  that  he  seems  to  expect,  but 
believe  that  a  moral  force  will  be  generated  by  his  mission  that 
will  more  than  compensate  for  his  temporary  absence  from  his 
regiment. 

"  His  letter  is  herein  inclosed,  and  the  bearer  of  this  can  fully 
explain  Colonel  Jaquess's  plans  and  purposes. 
"  Very  respectfully, 

"W.  S.  ROSECRANS,  Major  General." 

The  letter  was  given  to  President  Lincoln  by  the 
messenger,  and  a  full  explanation  made.  The  President 
had  known  Colonel  Jaquess  personally  for  fifteen  years, 
and  had  every  confidence  in  his  patriotism  and  integrity. 
He  finally  decided  to  permit  the  proposed  trip,  but 
stipulated  that  the  colonel  should  go  on  his  own  re- 
sponsibility, and  should  make  no  overtures,  but  receive 
and  report  any  made  to  him,  from  whatever  source. 

The  colonel  left  the  army  in  Tennessee  at  once,  and 
went  to  Baltimore,  on  the  President's  authority,  where 
he  reported  to  General  Schenck.  Thence  he  was  sent 
to  General  Dix,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  who,  after  long 
delay,  permitted  him  to  go  to  the  rebel  lines  in  a  flag- 
of-truce  boat.  He  went  to  Petersburg,  where  he  re- 
mained three  weeks  in  constant  communication  with 
influential  but  unofficial  personages,  who  all  admitted 
that  they  were  weary  of  the  war,  hopeless  of  success, 


VISIT  TO  RICHMOND.  541 

and  ready  to  give  up  slavery  to  secure  peace,  but  were 
so  held  in  check  by  a  despotic  government  at  Richmond 
that  they  dare  not,  as  yet,  move  effectively  in  that  di- 
rection. The  colonel  returned  to  Bnltimore,  reported 
in  writing  to  the  President,  waited  some  time  for  further 
instructions,  but  receiving  none,  returned  to  his  regi- 
ment, arriving  just  in  time  to  participate  in  the  bloody 
battle  of  Chickamauga. 

It  afterwards  transpired  that  the  President  never 
personally  received  the  colonel's  report.  When  in- 
formed of  the  facts  some  months  later,  Mr.  Lincoln 
immediately  realized  that  the  time  was  then  more  nearly 
ripe  for  such  an  effort,  and  at  least  highly  propitious 
for  securing  from  the  Confederate  chiefs  a  declared  ul- 
timatum, which  would  be,  in  many  ways,  extremely 
valuable.  Hence  he  again  detailed  Colonel  Jaquess  for 
special  service,  and,  in  order  to  obviate  objections  in 
high  military  circles,  requested  Mr.  J;  R.  Gilmore  to 
accompany  him.  And  then  ensued  the  real  and  genuine 
"visit  to  Richmond"  of  July,  1864. 

In  Dr.  Eddy's  "Patriotism  of  Illinois,"  Volume  I, 
we  find  a  graphic  and  detailed  report  of  this  interesting 
historical  event.  As  Dr.  Eddy  was  a  life-long  friend  of  our 
colonel,  in  frequent  personal  communication  with  him, 
it  may  be  assumed  that  the  narrative,  as  there  given, 
was  duly  authorized.  This  narrative  is  in  the  easy 
style  of  a  newspaper  interview,  in  which  form,  in  fact, 
it  originally  appeared  in  Dr.  Eddy's  paper,  the  North- 
western Christian  Advocate,  of  Chicago,  written  down, 
however,  by  the  worthy  editor  himself.  We  quote  : 

"  A  rap  at  the  door  of  our  sanctum !  Enter  a  tall,  somewhat 
slim,  and  altogether  impressive  form  in  the  uniform  of  a  Union 
colonel.  Few  men  carry  in  their  faces  more  character  than  Colonel 


542  DR.  EDDY'S  ACCOUNT. 

Jaquess.  With  classic  forehead ;  large  blue  eyes,  so  deep  that,  as 
Emerson  says,  '  one  may  fall  into  them  ;'  hair,  and  neatly  trimmed 
beard,  both  wearing  '  the  silvery  livery  of  advised  age ;'  firm,  con- 
scientious and  dauntless, — he  is  just  the  man  to  hurl  his  gauntlet 
at  danger — fight  his  way  into,  or  become  a  self-appointed  ambassa- 
dor, at  Richmond.  Reluctantly  he  told  us  his  story. 

"The  incidents  of  the  ride  to  the  city,  and  the  formalities 
which  resulted  in  an  interview  between  Colonel  Jaquess,  Mr.  Gil- 
more,  President  Davis,  and  Mr.  Benjamin,  are  already  recorded 
by  Mr.  Gilmore.  Colonel  Jaquess  states  that  he  did  not  share 
Mr.  Gilmore's  fears  respecting  the  important  question  of  a  safe 
deliverance  from  the  rebel  capital. 

"  The  evening  of  the  17th — July,  1864 — finds  the  four  persons 
above  mentioned  seated  in  a  room  in  the  Confederate  State  De- 
partment. After  the  formal  introduction,  it  was  fully  agreed  upon 
that  in  the  discussion  which  was  about  to  follow,  no  personal 
offense  was  to  be  taken,  even  though  it  became  necessary  to  em- 
ploy plain  language,  and  Colonel  Jaquess  says  that  he  accepted 
the  temporary  statiis  of  affairs,  and  studiously  and  politely  em- 
ployed the  terms,  '  Mr.  President,'  and  '  Confederacy.' 

"Mr.  Benjamin's  first  and  most  persistent  effort  was  to  secure 
an  admission  that  the  embassy  was  official,  and  after  laboring  thus 
in  vain  for  thirty  minutes,  he  then  attempted  to  browbeat  the 
colonel  by  employing  the  term  '  spy,'  and  allusions  to  the  ordinary 
fate  of  such. 

"These  tactics  failing,  Colonel  Jaquess  had  an  opportunity  to 
open  a  long,  serious,  and  exceedingly  plain  conversation  with  Mr. 
Davis,  carefully  selecting  such  points  as  in  themselves  gave  least 
room  for  controversy.  He  emphasized  the  statement  that  he  was 
present  only  in  his  individual  capacity  since  he  believed  that  neither 
of  the  contending  powers  would  accept  commissioners  from  the 
other,  and  thus  settle  existing  difficulties,  and  that  negotiation 
would  only  end  in  wrangling,  with  the  more  desperate  alienation, 
unless  certain  points  could  be  previously  adjusted  by  an  unofficial 
delegation  as  a  basis  for  a  further  official  discussion.  The  colonel 
therefore  remarked  : 

"  '  Mr.  President,  I  came  on  my  own  responsibility  to  prepare 
the  way,  and  I  hope  that  we,  as  Christian  gentlemen,  may  succeed 
in  discussing  the  question  fully,  freely,  and  frankly.  I  have  long 
believed  that  our  troubles  were  necessary  to  teach  a  threefold  lesson  : 

"  '  1st.  That  the  North  might  believe  that  the  terms  "  secession," 


THE  MEMORABLE  INTERVIEW.  543 

'  separation,"  and  "  independence,"  when  employed  by  Southerners, 
meant  something.  [At  this  the  President  was  manifestly  pleased.] 

" '  2d.  That  the  South  should  learn  that  one  Southerner  can  not 
whip  five  Yankees.  And — 

"  '  3d.  That  foreign  nations  might  learn  that  the  United  States 
can  never  be  defeated,  or  insulted  with  impunity.'  • 

"  Mr.  Davis  then  remarked,  with  a  degree  of  satisfaction,  that 
'  the  South  had  done  its  own  fighting  without  foreign  aid  or  sym- 
pathy.' Colonel  Jaquess  replied  with  a  commendable  desire  to 
assure  Mr.  Davis  that  the  South  would  not  lack  further  oppor- 
tunities for  display  of  valor,  that  'we  in  the  North  have  but  one 
sentiment,  viz.,  that  of  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  and  that 
no  man  could  be  elected  President  upon  any  other  platform.  We 
regard  you  as  the  aggressor,  and  if  one  party  must  lose  its  life,  we 
feel  not  only  at  liberty  but  under  obligations  to  take  yours.  We 
have  a  "Peace  Party,"  but  you  can  not  afford  to  trust  it ;  ibr  our 
masses  are  against  you,  and,  Mr.  Davis,  you  mistake  the  spirit  of 
our  people.  We  respect  and  love  you,  and  in  case  of  the  sudden 
termination  of  the  war,  millions  of  Northern  money  would  flow 
south  to  relieve  your  destitute  and  suffering.  Indeed,  we  would 
sustain  our  President  should  he,  in  such  case,  issue  his  proclama- 
tion of  universal  amnesty.'  Mr.  Davis,  with  the  evident  expecta- 
tion of  shaming  this  speech,  replied,  'You  have  poorly  manifested 
your  "love"  in  your  conduct  of  the  war.'  Replied  the  colonel 
promptly,  '  O,  we  are  not  just  now  making  friends — we  are  fighting 
rebellion'  Mr.  Davis  asserted  that  he  foresaw  this  struggle,  this 
bloodshed,  etc.,  and  while  in  Congress  strove  to  avert  it.  '  Before 
God,'  said  he,  'I  have  not  a  drop  of  this  blood  on  my  skirts.' 
The  colonel  says  he  barely  escaped  the  impulse  of  replying  that  '  this 
would  be  a  dangerous  appeal  to  carry  before  God.'  Davis  then  pro- 
ceeded with  a  long  dissertation  on  '  States'  rights,'  etc.,  alluding  to 
the  Declaration  of  American  Independence  and  its  initial  principle, 
that  the  right  to  govern  depends  upon  the  consent  of  the  governed, 
and  added,  'If  we  of  the  South  talk  of  peace  and  continued  union, 
we  will  thereby  confess  that  we  have  blundered  in  beginning  this 
war.'  Colonel  Jaquess  thinks  that  Mr.  Davis's  harangue  would 
compare  favorably  with  the  prevailing  style  of  Copperhead  speeches 
in  the  North,  and  would  be  fully  indorsed  by  the  late  Peace 
Party.  The  next  effort  of  our  worthy  colonel  was  to  change  the 
drift  of  the  conversation  and  to  obtain  the  rebel  ultimatum.  Mr. 
Davis  asserted  that  the  Southern  people  have  a  deep-seated  hatred 
of  the  Northerners.  The  Northern  reply  was  simply,  '  I  have 


544  SEPARATION  OR  ANNIHILATION. 

failed  to  discover  it,'  and  the  colonel  added,  '  "We  are  told  that  were 
an  armistice  for  ninety  days  agreed  upon,  our  people  could  not  be 
induced  to  resume  hostilities.'  'O,'  said  Mr.  D.,  'I  am  in  favor 
of  an  armistice  if  you  will  admit  our  independence ;  for  we  are 
bound  to  have  separation  or  annihilation!'  'Then,  Mr.  Davis,  you 
will  obtain  annihilation ;  for  our  people  are  determined  you  shall 
not  establish  the  doctrine  of  secession.  Would  you  come  back  into 
the  Union  as  a  confederacy  if  we  would  give  constitutional  guaran- 
tees of  your  claims  in  the  matter  of  slavery,  etc.?'  At  this  point 
Mr.  Benjamin,  who  had  been  writing  for  a  long  time,  blurted  out 
with  volcanic  heat  and  impatience :  '  If  the  throat  of  every  slave 
in  the  Confederacy  were  cut,  we  would  have  nothing  but  separation !' 
Mr.  Davis  assented,  and  reiterated  his  alternative  of  'separation  or 
annihilation,'  and  again  received  the  emphatic  consolation  that  he 
would,  in  that  case,  inevitably  be  accommodated  with  the  coveted 
annihilation.  Mr.  Gilmore  here  asked  how  they  would  be  satisfied 
with  the  plan  of  submitting  the  question  to  the  people,  and  allowing 
them  to  vote  for  Mr.  Davis  as  the  secession  and  Mr.  Lincoln  as  the 
Union  candidate?  '  Yes,' said  the  colonel,  'let  the  majority  de- 
cide.' The  reply  was  from  Mr.  Davis,  with  an  attempt  at  severity, 
'  You  can  do  that  in  your  consolidated  form,  but  I  have  no  right  to 
ask  my  people  thus  to  vote.'  And  here  followed  that  heretical, 
despotic,  anti-republican  sentiment  from  the  arch-rebel :  '  We  have 
left  you,  to  rid  ourselves  of  the  despotism  of  majorities.'  The  colonel  sug- 
gested to  Mr.  Davis  that  he  had  better  not  let  the  Southern  people 
know  this,  and  received  the  assurance  that  he  was  at  liberty  '  to  pro- 
claim it  from  every  house- top,'  from  the  improvement  of  which  in- 
vitation the  colonel  was  '  prevented  by  circumstances.' 

"Mr.  Benjamin,  in  his  account  of  the  occasion  asserts,  for 
effect,  that  at  this  point,  Mr.  Davis  wished  to  close  the  interview. 
Colonel  Jaquess  positively  contradicts  the  statement,  and  asserts 
that  he  was  the  first  to  indicate  such  a  desire.  Three  times  did  the 
colonel  arise,  and  three  times  was  he  detained  by  a  renewal  of  the 
conversation.  Once  Colonel  Jaquess  asked  Mr.  Davis  if  they 
would  ever  meet  again.  '  O  yes,'  was  the  reply.  Colonel  Ja- 
quess— 'My  Northern  friends  say  I  look  like  "Jeff.  Davis."' 
Mr.  Davis — '  You  ought  not  to  consider  it  a  compliment.'  Colonel 
Jaquess — '  I  do  not  consider  it  a  left-handed  one  by  any  means.' 
Mr.  Davis — '  Your  resemblance  to  myself  occurred  to  me  when  you 
entered  the  room.'  Colonel  Jaquess — 'And  I  had  the  corresponding 
thought  at  the  same  time.' 


BUSINESS— NOT  ROMANCE!  545 

"Then  followed  a  talk  for  twenty  minutes  about  ancestry,  etc., 
in  which  both  parties  forgot  that  they  were  enemies,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  which,  Colonel  Jaquess  for  the  third  time  arose,  saying, 
'  When  may  I  come  again  ?'  '  When  you  come  to  tell  me  that  the 
North  is  willing  to  let  us  govern  ourselves  in  our  own  way !'  The 
colonel  extended  his  hand,  which  was  warmly  grasped  by  both  of 
the  President's,  and  thus  closed  this  remarkable  interview. 

"We  have  read  Mr.  Gilmore's  published  accounts,  and  have  heard 
his  two  subsequent  lectures  upon  the  same  topic;  and  now,  having 
talked  three  or  four  times  with  Colonel  Jaquess,  we  feel  that  the 
trip  to  Richmond  was  far  from  a  mere  romantic  expedition,  and 
that  the  accounts  of  Mr.  Gilmore  are  far  too  flippant  and  super- 
ficial, while  under  the  colonel's  grave  recounting  it  rises  to  the 
dignity  of  a  providential  mission.  Certain  it  is  that  the  effort  of 
Mr.  Benjamin,  in  his  circular,  to  avert  the  consequences  of  the 
published  statements,  and  his  avowal  of  the  designs  and  wishes, 
too,  of  the  Southern  leaders,  went  far,  O  so  far,  to  gird  up  the 
loins  of  noble  Northern  freemen  for  the  struggle  in  which  God 
gave  us  victory  on  the  8th  of  last  November." 

The  foregoing,  having  been  incorporated  by  Dr. 
Eddy  in  his  work,  "  Patriotism  of  Illinois,"  it  is,  as 
before  stated,  safe  to  assume  that  the  statements  made 
are  true,  and  sanctioned  by  Colonel  Jaquess.  The  ac- 
count was  written  while  the  events  of  which  it  treats 
were  new  and  fresh  in  the  public  mind,  and  has,  so  far 
as  we  know,  met  with  no  contradiction. 

It  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  value  of  the  advan- 
tage derived  by  the  National  Union  party  in  the  polit- 
ical campaign  of  1864  as  a  result  of  this  and  other 
"peace  missions."  The  mission  of  Colonel  Jaquess  was 
first  in  importance,  because  he  sought  and  obtained  an 
interview  with  the  highest  officer  in  the  Confederacy, 
and  heard  deliberately  stated  the  rebel  ultimatum,  by 
the  representative  and  official  head  of  the  rebellion.  The 
other  "  peace  mission,"  the  one  undertaken  by  Messrs. 
Clay,  Holcombe,  and  Saunders,  from  a  base  of  opera- 
tions across  the  border,  in  Canada,  was  clearly  working 

35 


546  MR.  OREELEY'S  STATEMENT. 

in  harmony  with  the  "Peace  Party,"  to  secure  a  com- 
mon purpose,  the  defeat  of  the  National  Union  Party. 
One  result  of  Colonel  Jaquess's  visit  was  the  proof  and 
demonstration  of  the  utter  insincerity,  want  of  au- 
thority, and  want  of  purpose — beyond  affecting  or  com- 
passing the  outcome  of  the  pending  Presidential  elec- 
tion— of  the  above  named  Peace  Commissioners. 

The  late  Horace  Greeley,  in  Volume  II,  of  his  "Amer- 
ican Conflict,"  on  pages  665-6  thereof,  after  devoting 
attention  to  the  Clay,  Holcombe,  and  Saunders  mission, 
has  this  to  say  concerning  that  of  Colonel  Jaquess  and 
Mr.  Gilmore.  Mr.  Greeley,  having  been  deputed  by 
President  Lincoln,  to  go  to  Niagara,  and  confer  with 
Clay,  Holcombe,  and  Saunders,  was  all  the  more  thor- 
oughly posted,  and  qualified,  after  so  doing,  to  judge  as 
to  the  beneficent  result  of  Colonel  Jaquess's  trip  to 
Richmond.  Mr.  Greeley's  statement,  which  fully  dis- 
closes Mr.  Jefferson  Davis's  ultimatum,  reads : 

"But  happily  another  negotiation,  even  more  irregular  and 
wholly  clandestine,  had  simultaneously  been  in  progress  at  Rich- 
mond with  a  similar  result.  Rev.  Colonel  James  F.  Jaquess,  73d 
Illinois,  with  Mr.  J.  R.  Gilmore,  of  New  York,  had,  with  Presi- 
dent Lincoln's  knowledge,  but  without  his  formal  permission,  paid 
a  visit  to  the  Confederate  capital  on  a  peace  errand,  being  allowed 
to  pass  through  the  lines  of  both  armies  for  the  purpose. 

"Arrived  in  Richmond,  they  addressed  a  joint  letter  to  Judah 
P.  Benjamin,  Secretary  of  State,  requesting  an  interview  with 
President  Davis,  which  was  accorded  ;  and  a  long,  familiar,  earnest 
colloquy  ensued,  wherein  the  Confederate  chief  presented  his  ulti- 
matum in  these  terms : 

"  '  I  desire  peace  as  much  as  you  do ;  I  deplore  bloodshed  as 
much  as  you  do  ;  but  I  feel  that  not  one  drop  of  the  blood  shed 
in  this  war  is  on  my  hands.  I  can  look  up  to  my  God  and  say 
this.  I  tried  all  in  my  power  to  avert  this  war.  I  saw  it  com- 
ing, and  for  twelve  years  I  worked  night  and  day  to  prevent  it, 
but  I  could  not.  The  North  was  mad  and  blind.  It  would  not 


THA  T"UL  TIM  A  TUM."  547 

let  us  govern  ourselves,  and  so  the  war  came,  and  now  it  must  go 
on  till  the  last  man  of  this  generation  falls  in  his  tracks,  and  his 
children  seize  his  musket  and  fight  our  battle,  unless  you  acknowl- 
edge our  right  to  self-government.  We  are  not  fighting  for  slavery ;  WE 
ARE  FIGHTING  FOR  INDEPENDENCE,  and  that,  or  extermination, 
we  will  have.'" 

"Again,  at  parting,  Mr.  Davis  bade  them : 

"  '  Say  to  Mr.  Lincoln  from  me  that  I  shall  at  any  time 
be  pleased  to  receive  proposals  for  peace  on  the  basis  of  our 
independence.  It  will  be  useless  to  approach  me  with  any  other.' 

"Thus  it  was  not  only  incontestably  settled,  but  proclaimed, 
through  the  volunteered  agency  of  two  citizens,  that  the  war  must 
go  on  until  the  Confederacy  should  be  recognized  as  an  independ- 
ent power,  or  until  it  should  be  utterly,  finally  overthrown.  The 
knowledge  of  this  fact  was  worth  more  than  a  victory  to  the 
National  cause.  For,  though  the  Confederate  chiefs  had  ever 
held  but  one  language  on  this  point — had  at  no  time  given  any 
one  reason  to  believe  that  they  might  be  reconciled  to  the  Union, 
it  was  habitually  assumed  by  the  opposition  in  the  loyal  States  that 
they  were  fighting  not  against  the  Union,  but  against  Abolition  ;  and 
that  they  might  easily  be  placated  and  won  to  loyalty,  were  but 
the  Democratic  party  restored  to  power."  • 

It  will  be  observed  that  in  the  former  selection  ap- 
pears an  admission  from  Davis  that  the  South  began 
the  war,  and  that  the  rebels  could  not  cease  fighting  or 
submit  their  causes  of  complaint  to  a  peaceful  arbitra- 
ment, or  "  talk  of  peace  and  union "  without  confessing 
they  had  gone  wrong  in  beginning  it.  In  the  latter 
selection,  it  is  shown  that  Mr.  Davis  declared  they  were 
not  fighting  for  slavery,  but  for  independence,  "and 
that,  or  extermination,  they  would  have." 

It  is  easily  seen  how  effectually  Colonel  Jaquess's 
mission  proved  the  utter  uselessness  and  fallacy  of  the 
Peace  Party  in  the  North,  paralyzed  it,  neutralized  or 
counteracted  its  influence  for  evil,  and  built  up  and 
strengthened  the  National  Party,  by  convincing  hun- 
dreds and  thousands  of  voters  of  the  hopelessness  of 


548  RESULTS  ACCOMPLISHED. 

ending  the  war  in  any  other  way  than  by  crushing  the 
Rebellion  by  force  of  arms.  The  accessions  to  the 
ranks  of  voters  of  the  party  headed  by  Abraham 
Lincoln  continued  steadily,  enlistments  in  the  army 
increased,  and  the  result  was  unexpectedly  grand,  in 
November,  1864. 

We  have,  lately,  carefully  re-read  the  account  of 
"Our  Visit  to  Richmond,"  by  J.  R.  Gilmore,  as  it  ap- 
pears in  the  Atlantic  Monthly  of  September,  1864.  At 
the  beginning  of  the  account  Mr.  Gilmore  gives  four 
reasons,  of  the  half  dozen,  he  found  for  making  the 
visit.  The  strongest  of  which — the  second — is  that  it 
was  necessary  and  desirable  to  tear  off  the  mask  which 
concealed  the  real  purposes  and  "low  schemes"  of 
C.  C.  Clay  and  his  fellow  peace  commissioners  at 
Niagara.  It  was  important  to  demonstrate  that  the 
"  rebel  envoys "  were  not  clothed  witfy  authority  to 
negotiate  for  peace,  for  or  on  behalf  of  the  Confederacy ; 
that,  therefore,  their  pretended  efforts  in  that  direction 
were  dishonest  and  hypocritical,  and  intended  to  help 
the  Northern  Peace  Party,  by  appearing  to  throw  on 
the  Government  or  Administration  the  responsibility  of 
a  continuance  of  the  war.  The  visit  to  Richmond,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Gilmore,  fully  accomplished  these  ob- 
jects. The  third  reason,  as  stated,  would  seem  rather 
to  be  a  reason  why  he  went  to  Richmond — to  open  the 
way,  remove  difficulties,  and  enable  Colonel  Jaquess  to 
get  there.  They  worked  harmoniously  together,  as 
would  be  expected,  when  it  was  supposed  their  all  was 
at  stake.  That  they  got  in,  Mr.  Gilmore  says,  was 
perhaps  due  to  himself;  that  they  got  out,  was  due  al- 
together to  Colonel  Jaquess.  Mr.  Gilmore  says  :  "  A 
more  cool,  more  brave,  more  self-reliant,  and  more  self- 


ARRIVE  AT  RICHMOND.  549 

devoted  man  than  that  quiet  '  Western  Parson,'   it  was 
never  my  fortune  to  encounter." 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  July  16th  that  the  colo- 
nel and  his  companion  took  leave  of  General  Butler  at 
his  head-quarters,  and  started  on  their  way  to  Richmond. 
At  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  same  day  they 
approached  the  rebel  lines,  and  soon  received  directions 
as  to  where  the  exchange  commissioner,  Judge  Ould, 
might  be  found.  Following  directions,  it"  WHS  but  a 
short  time  before  they  found  Judge  Ould  and  others, 
were  introduced  all  around,  and  entered  into  conversa- 
tion on  topics  related  to  the  conduct  of  the  war,  treat- 
ment of  prisoners,  and  the  object  of  the  visit  they 
were  on.  In  order  not  to  afford  the  visitors  an  oppor- 
tunity to  view  the  fortifications,  the  judge  postponed 
starting  to  Richmond  until  after  sundown.  On  start- 
ing, Judge  Ould,  in  his  carriage,  led  the  way,  while  the 
colonel  and  Gilmore  followed  behind,  in  an  ambulance 
drawn  by  a  pair  of  mules,  with  a  stout  colored  man  as 
driver.  One  Javins,  whom  Mr.  Gilmore  denominates 
"  our  shadow,"  occupied  the  same  seat,  sitting  between 
Colonel  Jaquess  and  his  companion.  In  this  manner 
they  passed  within  the  fortifications,  and  the  line  of 
troops,  and  by  ten  o'clock  that  Saturday  night  they 
were  in  the  heart  of  the  rebel  capital.  Alighted  at  the 
doorway  of  the  Spotswood  Hotel,  the  colonel  and  Gil- 
more  were  shown  without  delay  to  room  No.  60,  in  the 
fourth  story.  Supper  was  provided  and  partaken  of 
in  the  same  room  where  they  slept  that  night,  and 
breakfasted  the  next  morning.  We  suppose  they  slept 
some ;  but,  disturbed  by  a  feeling  of  anxiety  and  spec- 
ulation, it  is  scarcely  probable  they  slept  well. 


550  PRELIMINARIES. 

After  breakfast,  Sunday  morning,  a  note  was  pre- 
pared, which  reads  thus  : 

"SPOTSWOOD    HOUSE,  \ 

"RICHMOND,  VIRGINIA,  July  17,  1864.  J 
"  HON.  J.  P.  BENJAMIN,  Secretary  of  State,  etc. : 

"  DEAR  SIR, — The  undersigned  respectfully  solicit  an  interview 
with  President  Davis.  They  visit  Richmond  only  as  private  citi- 
zens, and  have  no  official  character  or  authority ;  but  they  are 
acquainted  with  the  views  of  the  United  States  Government,  and 
with  the  sentiments  of  the  Northern  people,  relative  to  an  adjustment 
of  the  differences  existing  between  the  North  and  the  South,  and 
earnestly  hope  that  a  free  interchange  of  views  between  President 
Davis  and  themselves  may  open  the  way  to  such  official  negotiations  as 
will  result  in  restoring  peace  to  the  two  sections  of  our  distracted 
country.  They,  therefore,  ask  an  interview  with  the  President, 
and  awaiting  your  reply  are,  truly  and  respectfully,  yours." 

This  note  was  called  for,  as  previously  agreed  upon, 
and  delivered  to  the  party  addressed.  Mr.  Benjamin 
sent  his  compliments  in  return,  accompanied  by  an  ex- 
pression of  a  desire  to  meet  Colonel  Jaquess  and  Mr. 
Gilmore  at  the  State  Department.  Yielding  to  this 
desire,  as  well  as  to  their  own  inclinations,  they  re- 
paired at  once  to  the  department  presided  over  by  Mr. 
Benjamin,  which  was  located  in  the  north-west  room  of 
the  "United  States"  Custom-house.  Judge  Ould,  who 
had  accompanied  the  visitors,  introduced  them  to  Mr. 
Benjamin,  and  an  informal  interview  was  held,  during 
which  Mr.  Benjamin  seemed  very  anxious  to  learn 
whether  Mr.  Lincoln  had,  "in  any  way,  authorized  you 
to  come  here,"  and  the  time  was  fixed  for  a  more  ex- 
tended and  authoritative  interchange  of  views,  when 
Mr.  Davis  would  be  present  and  join  in  it.  Nine 
o'clock  in  the  evening  of  that  same  day  was  appointed 
for  the  meeting.  The  day,  from  near  noon  until  about 
the  time  for  the  interview,  was  passed  by  the  visitors 


MR.  GILMORE'S  ACCOUNT.  551 

in  their  room,  conversing  with  the  judge,  or  watching 
the  people  as  they  passed  by  in  the  street.  Promptly 
on  time,  the  visitors  were  at  the  State  Department, 
where  Mr.  Davis  had  previously  arrived.  Mr.  Gilmore's 
account  states  : 

"  Mr.  Benjamin  occupied  his  previous  seat  at  the  table.  At  his 
right  sat  a  spare,  thin-featured  man,  with  iron-gray  hair  and  beard, 
and  a  clear  gray  eye,  full  of  life  and  vigor.  He  had  a  broad, 
massive  forehead,  and  a  mouth  and  chin  denoting  great  energy 
and  strength  of  will.  His  face  was  emaciated,  much  wrinkled, 
but  his  features  were  good,  especially  his  eyes — though  one  of  them 
bore  a  scar,  apparently  made  by  some  sharp  instrument.  He  wore 
a  suit  of  grayish  brown,  evidently  of  foreign  manufacture,  and, 
as  he  rose,  I  saw  that  he  was  about  five  feet  ten  inches  high, 
with  a  slight  stoop  in  his  shoulders.  His  manners  were  simple, 
easy,  and  quite  fascinating ;  and  he  threw  an  indescribable  charm 
into  his  voice  as  he  extended  his  hand  and  said  to  us :  'I  am  glad 
to  see  you,  gentlemen.  You  are  very  welcome  to  Richmond.' 

"And  this  was  the  man  who  was  President  of  the  United  States 
under  Franklin  Pierce,  and  who  is  now  the  heart,  soul,  and  brains 
of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  His  manners  put  me  entirely  at  my 
ease ;  the  colonel  would  be  at  his  ease  if  he  stood  before  Caesar." 

Mr.  Gilmore  then  proceeds  with  the  interview  between 
Colonel  Jaquess  and  the  Confederate  President,  which 
has  been  already  quoted  from  Dr.  Eddy  in  the  more 
correct  and  significant  language  of  the  colonel  himself. 
According  to  Mr.  Gilmore's  report,  when  the  visitors 
retired,  Mr.  Davis  took  Colonel  Jaquess's  hand  in  both 
his  own  and  said  to  him  :  "  Colonel,  I  respect  your  char- 
acter and  your  motives,  and  I  wish  you  well.  .1  wish 
you  every  good  I  can  wish  you,  consistently  with  the 
interests  of  the  Confederacy." 

In  closing  his  account  of  the  interview,  Mr.  Gil- 
more  says  : 

"The  quiet,  straightforward  bearing  and  magnificent  moral 
courage  of  our  'fighting  parson,'  had  evidently  impressed  Mr. 


552  SUSPICIOUS  CIRCUMSTANCES. 

Davis  very  favorably.  When  we  went  out,  Mr.  Benjamin  called 
Judge  Ould,  who  had  been  waiting  during  the  whole  interview — 
two  hours — at  the  other  end  of  the  hall,  and  we  passed  down  the 
stairway  together.  As  I  put  my  arm  within  that  of  the  judge, 
he  said  to  me: 

"'Well,  what  is  the  result?'  'Nothing  but  war — war  to  the 
knife.'  '  Ephraim  is  joined  to  his  idols.  Let  him  alone,'  added  the 
colonel  solemnly.  ...  As  we  climbed  the  long,  rickety  stairs 
which  led  to  our  room  in  the  fourth  story,  one  of  us  said  to  our 
companion  :  '  We  can  accomplish  nothing  more  by  remaining  here. 
Suppose  we  shake  the  sacred  soil  from  our  feet  to-morrow?' 
'  Very  well.  At  what  hour  will  you  start  ?'  He  replied,  '  The 
earlier  the  better.  As  near  daybreak  as  may  be,  to  avoid  the  sun.' 
'  We  can't  be  ready  before  ten  o'clock.  The  mules  are  quartered 
six  miles  out.'  '  Very  well — ten  o'clock  then,  let  it  be — we  'if  be 
ready.'  We  bade  the  judge  good-night  at  the  landing,  and  en- 
tered our  apartment." 

The  visitors  passed  their  second  night  at  the  Spots- 
wood  House  not  without  incident  or  disturbance.  Next 
morning  they  had  breakfast,  and  newspapers  with  sensa- 
tional reports.  They  were  all  ready  and  waiting  at 
the  appointed  hour;  but  no  Judge  Ould  or  mule-tenm 
and  ambulance  came.  Eleven  o'clock  came,  then  twelve, 
then  one  o'clock,  and  the  delay  caused  some  anxiety 
and  conjecture.  Various  thoughts  flitted  through  Mr. 
Gilmore's  mind  ;  thoughts  of  home,  family,  and  friends, 
and  likewise  of  close  confinement  in  Castle  Thunder  or 
other  Bastile.  Gilmore  paced  back  and  forth,  then 
turned  to  Javins,  and  said  :  "  Will  you  oblige  me  by 
stepping  into  the  hall?  My  friend  and  I  would  have 
a  few  words  together." 

As  Javins  passed  out,  Gilmore,  addressing  Colonel 
Jaquess,  said  :  "  Ould  is  more  than  three  hours  late  ! 
What  does  it  mean  ?" 

The  colonel,  withdrawing  his  attention  from  the 
reading  of  the  newspapers,  but  betraying  no  uneasiness 


TRUST  IN  GOD.  553 

at  Quid's  delay,  replied :  "  It  looks  badly,  but  I  ask  no 
odds  of  them.  We  may  have  to  show  we  are  men. 
We  have  tried  to  serve  the  country ;  that  is  enough. 
Let  them  hang  us,  if  they  like." 

While  saying  this,  the  colonel  took  off  his  spectacles 
and  quietly  rubbed  the  glasses  with  his  hankerchief. 

"  Colonel,"  exclaimed  Gilmore,  "  you  are  a  trump ; 
the  bravest  man  I  ever  knew."  To  which  the  colonel 
replied  :  "  I  trust  in  God,  that  is  all." 

Mr.  Gilmore  says  these  words  "  convey  no  idea  of 
the  sublime  courage  which  shone  in  the  colonel's  eye, 
and  lighted  up  his  every  feature.  I  felt  rebuked,  and 
turned  away  to  hide  my  emotion." 

After  a  little  time  there  was  heard  a  rap  at  the  door, 
and  Judge  Ould  entered. 

"  Good  evening,"  he  said. 

"  Good  evening,"  we  replied. 

Ould — "  Well,  gentlemen,  if  you  are  ready,  we  '11 
walk  round  to  the  Libby." 

Says  Mr.  Gilmore : 

"  My  worst  fears  were  realized.  We  were  prisoners.  A  cold 
tremor  passed  over  me,  and  my  tongue  refused  its  office.  .  .  . 
I  turned  to  the  colonel.  He  stood  drawn  up  to  his  full  height, 
looking  at  Ould.  Not  a  feature  of  his  fine  face  moved,  but  his 
large  gray  eye  was  beaming  with  a  sort  of  triumph.  I  have  met 
brave  men,  men  who  have  faced  death  a  hundred  times  without 
quailing ;  but  I  never  met  a  man  who  had  the  moral  grandeur  of 
that  man.  His  look  inspired  me  ;  for  I  turned  to  Ould,  and  with 
a  coolness  that  amazed  myself,  said  :  '  Very  well,  we  are  ready.'" 

With  this,  the  visitors  shook  Javins's  hand,  bidding 
him  good-bye,  and  then,  attended  by  Judge  Ould,  they 
got  out  of  the  hotel ;  something  being  said  about  the 
hotel  bill,  and  exchanging  greenbacks  for  Confederate 
money  as  they  passed  out.  These  matters  adjusted  in 


554  VERY  TIRED— VERY  THANKFUL. 

some  way,  they  passed  to  the  street,  where  they  found 
"Jack"  with  the  mule  team  and  ambulance.  The  sight 
of  these  had  a  wonderfully  reassuring  effect,  as  up  to 
that  time  Mr.  Gilmore  had  considered  himself  "jugged" 
sure  enough.  The  visitors,  piloted  by  Judge  Ould, 
visited  Libby  prison,  Castle  Thunder,  and  the  hos- 
pitals where  the  wounded  prisoners  were  kept.  At 
five  o'clock  they  separated  from  Judge  Ould,  bidding 
him  a  kindly  good-bye,  as  doubtless  it  was  mainly  due 
to  the  Judge  that  the  visitors  were  permitted  to  "  go 
their  way." 

In  the  ambulance  drawn  by  the  mule-team,  and 
"  Jack "  for  driver,  the  visitors  were  conveyed  to  the 
point  where  they  first  entered  it,  and  from  thence,  ac- 
companied by  Captain  Hatch  with  a  flag,  approached 
the  Union  lines,  where  they  arrived  just  as  the  sun 
was  going  down.  A  young  officer  rode  over  from  the 
nearest  Union  picket  station,  and  was  forthwith  sent  to 
General  Foster  for  a  pair  of  horses,  which  being  fur- 
nished, Colonel  Jaquess  and  Mr.  Gilmore  arrived  at 
General  Foster's  tent  a  half  hour  later.  They  took 
supper  with  General  Foster,  and  soon  after  started  to 
General  Butler's  head-quarters,  arriving  there  by  ten 
o'clock  P.  M.,  very  tired ;  but,  provided  with  "  downy  " 
cots  to  recline  upon,  they  rested  and  were  "  thankful, 
devoutly  thankful,  that  we  were  once  again  under  the 
folds  of  the  old  flag." 

The  tourists  returned  in  safety  to  the  North,  and 
Colonel  Jaquess  reported  the  result  of  his  mission  to 
President  Lincoln,  who  received  with  lively  satisfaction 
this  authentic  and  significant  declaration,  direct  from 
the  lips  of  the  rebel  chieftain,  that  no  terms  of  peace 
short  of  absolute  independence  would  be  accepted  or 


VALUABLE  SERVICES.  555 

considered.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  too  shrewd  a  politician 
not  to  realize  that  this  positive  declaration  completely 
upset  the  platform  of  the  Peace  Party,  then  prosecut- 
ing the  Presidential  campaign  on  the  false  issue  of  re- 
storing the  Union  by  an  armistice  and  negotiation. 
Measures  were  promptly  taken  to  insure  the  widest 
publicity  to  the  statement  of  the  Confederate  President. 
Newspaper  reports  of  the  trip  and  its  leading  incidents, 
laying  special  stress  on  the  vital  point,  were  at  once 
published  in  New  York,  and  instantly  telegraphed  to 
the  press  of  the  whole  country.  The  Atlantic  Monthly 
for  September  contained  the  Gilmore  version  of  the 
interview,  and  had  an  enormous  sale.  The  rebel  papers 
in  Richmond  and  elsewhere  took  hold  of  the  matter 
with  vigor,  and.  unable  to  deny  the  truthfulness  of  the 
report,  contented  themselves  with  bitterly  criticising 
the  Confederate  authorities  for  allowing  themselves  to 
be  "  hoodwinked  by  n  couple  of  Yankee  spies." 

By  the  special  order  of  President  Lincoln,  Colonel 
Jaquess  was  given  an  extended  leave  of  absence  from 
the  army,  and  at  his  special  request  the  colonel  actively 
engaged  in  the  Presidential  campaign  then  in  progress. 
He  addressed  large  audiences  day  and  evening  in  all 
the  Northern  States  from  Maine  to  Michigan,  and  wher- 
ever his  story  was  told,  it  had  a.  marked  effect  in  con- 
vincing doubting  patriots  of  the  inexorable  fact  that  no 
peace  was  possible  until  the  rebellion  had  been  sup- 
pressed. The  value  of  his  services  was  gratefully  ac- 
knowledged by  the  Republican  National  Committee,  and 
by  the  several  State  committees.  He  was  in  demand 
everywhere,  and  his  utterances  were  multiplied  thou- 
sands of  times  by  reports  of  his  speeches  in  the  press, 
which  were  widely  copied. 


556  ENGAGEMENTS  SINCE  THE  WAR. 

After  the  election,  in  November,  1864,  Colonel 
Jaquess,  still  on  leave  of  absence,  retired  to  his  home 
at  Quincy,  Illinois,  for  a  few  weeks  of  much  needed 
rest,  preparatory  to  his  expected  return  to  his  regi- 
ment, then  in  Georgia.  Here  another  order  reached 
him,  calling  him  again  to  the  East  on  important  secret 
service,  which  occupied  his  time  during  the  remainder 
of  the  winter,  and  required  him  to  travel  through  sev- 
eral Northern  States.  Wherever  he  went,  as  soon  as 
his  identity  became  known,  he  was  importuned  to  lec- 
ture for  the  benefit  of  Sanitary  Commissions  and  Sol- 
diers' Aid  Societies.  He  nearly  always  complied,  and 
thus  his  eloquent  tongue  was  kept  constantly  and  use- 
fully employed,  and  the  story  of  the  Richmond  trip 
had  other  thousands  of  eager  listeners. 

In  April,  1865,  Colonel  Jaquess  returned  to  Quincy, 
and  in  that  city,  on  the  eighteenth  of  that  month,  he 
personally  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  which 
united  his  only  daughter,  Margaret,  to  Henry  A.  Castle, 
late  sergeant-major  of  73d  Illinois  (wounded  at  Stone 
River),  and  afterward  captain  of  Company  A,  137th 
Illinois. 

Immediately  after  the  wedding,  the  colonel  returned 
to  the  regiment,  rejoining  it  at  Nashville,  and  remaining 
there  until  the  muster  out. 

After  the  muster  out  of  the  regiment,  Colonel  Jaquess 
served  for  several  months  in  an  important  position  in  the 
Freedmen's  Bureau,  after  which  he  engaged  in  cotton- 
planting  on  an  extensive  scale,  first  in  Arkansas,  and 
then  in  Northern  Mississippi.  He  continued  in  this 
vocation  with  varying  success  for  ten  years.  Finally, 
about  1876,  he  became  interested  in  the  promotion  of 
some  financial  schemes,  which  necessitated  several  visits 


ATTENDED  THE  REUNION.  557 

to  England,  and  finally  led   to    his   almost   continuous 
residence  there. 

It  was  in  London,  in  September,  1889,  that  the 
colonel  received  the  urgent  request  of  his  old  com- 
panions of  the  73d  Regiment  to  attend  their  third 
annual  reunion  at  Fairniount,  Vermilion  County,  Illinois, 
on  October  8th  and  9th  of  that  year.  Dropping  all  his 
occupations,  he  made  the  trip  of  four  thousand  miles  from 
London  direct  to  Fairmount,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  at- 
tending this  reunion,  remained  in  Fairmount  twenty-four 
hours,  and  started  on  the  return  trip  of  four  thousand 
miles  to  London,  which  city  he  reached  in  time  for  an  im- 
perative legal  engagement  on  October  24th.  It  need  not 
be  said  that  the  seventy-five  or  eighty  survivors  of  the 
old  regiment  gathered  at  Fairmount  on  this  twenty- 
seventh  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Perryville,  thor- 
oughly appreciated  the  devotion  of  their  old  commander, 
and  heartily  enjoyed  his  visit.  They  welcomed  him 
with  tears  of  joy,  and  escorted  him  to  the  place  of  as- 
semblage, where,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  concourse 
of  citizens,  he  delivered  the  following  impressive  and 
instructive  address : 

"COMRADES  OF  THE  73o  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS, — Since  being 
informed  of  your  intended  reunion,  I  have  traveled  quite  four 
thousand  miles,  by  land  and  ocean,  to  meet  with  you.  You  have 
had  other  and  similar  meetings  since  last  we  met,  but  circumstances 
prevented  me  from  meeting  with  you  in  person ;  I  have  always 
been  with  you  in  soul,  mind,  and  heart,  all  the  same,  and  I  now 
feel  myself  most  happy  in  meeting  you  after  so  long  a  separation. 

"A  little  more  than  twenty-seven  years  ago,  in  the  dark  days 
of  the  Republic,  we  responded  to  the  country's  call,  and  were 
mustered  into  the  service,  and  hurried  off  to  the  front  without  drill 
or  instructions  as  to  the  duties  we  were  to  perform.  At  that  time 
we  were  a  thousand  strong,  a  thousand  able-bodied  and  resolute 
men.  When  we  had  completed  our  work,  and  stacked  our  arms 


558  COLONEL  JAQUESS'S  ADDRESS. 

preparatory  to  muster  out,  we  were  a  small  band,  less  than  one- 
third  of  our  original  number.  We  went  out  raw  recruits  in  the 
volunteer  service ;  we  returned  veterans,  having  learned  the  arts  of 
war,  and  been  drilled  and  thoroughly  disciplined  on  many  hard- 
fought  fields.  Since  our  muster  out,  our  ranks  have  been  thinned 
by  death  and  disease,  chiefly  the  result  of  wounds  and  disabilities 
contracted  in  the  line  of  duty,  and  by  exposures  incident  to  the 
fortunes  of  war. 

"  While  enjoying  the  festivities  of  this  most  delightful  occasion, 
we  must  not,  rather  we  can  not,  forget  or  be  unmindful  of  our 
worthy  dead.  They  responded,  as  we  who  survive  them  did,  to 
our  country's  call,  moved  with  alacrity  and  cheerful  steps  to  the 
front  and  to  the  position  of  danger,  shaded  with  us  our  hard 
marches,  our  hard  fare,  and  our  hard  fighting,  and  proved  the  full 
measure  of  their  devotion  by  laying  down  their  lives  for  the  sacred 
cause  for  which  we  fought.  We  gave  our  best  services,  they  gave 
tkeir  lives  to  save  the  life  of  the  Nation.  Their  memory  is  sacred  to 
us,  and  hallowed  by  a  thousand  cherished  recollections ;  and  we, 
their  surviving  comrades  and  a  grateful  country,  can  never  forget 
what  they  did.  But  the  memory  of  their  deeds  and  devotion  will 
be  held  up  as  worthy  examples  of  personal  courage,  and  patriotism 
worthy  the  imitation  and  emulation  of  our  youth,  and  will  stand, 
for  all  time  to  come,  more  imperishable  than  marble  or  granite,  to 
tell  future  generations  what  we  have  done. 

"  Compatriots  of  the  Seventy-third,  I  greet  you,  I  congratulate 
you,  and  if  I  were  called  on  to  write  a  history  or  a  eulogy  of  the 
regiment,  it  would  be  simply  this,  viz. :  You  did  your  duty  ;  and  the 
only  honor  I  should  claim  for  myself  would  be  that  I  looked  on 
while  you  did  it.  What  you  did,  you  did  well,  and  at  the  oppor- 
tune moment;  it  was  so  well  done  that  it  could  not  have  been 
better  done.  While  you  went  out  undisciplined,  you  returned  vet- 
erans Avith  greatly  reduced  numbers,  having  been  trained  and  dis- 
ciplined in  the  line  of  duty  and  service,  and  drilled  in  the  conflicts 
of  the  battle-fields.  You  went  out  a  united  band.  You  had 
learned  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  in  union  there  is  strength, 
1  united  we  stand,  divided  wefatt.'  One  common  impulse  impelled 
you  on  ;  a  single  motive  guided  your  actions  at  all  times  and  under 
all  circumstances.  Want  of  harmony  was  unknown  among  you ; 
selfishness  could  not  live  among  you  ;  never  was  union  more  com- 
plete in  family  circle  or  elsewhere. 

"You  entered  the  service  of  the  country  a  patriotic  band,  no 
motive  prompting  you  but  that  which  flows  from  love  of  country. 


JUSTICE  AND  HONOR. ,  559 

You  sought  no  promotion  and  accepted  none,  save  such  as  came 
to  you  of  right  in  the  line  of  duty.  You  fought  for  the  cause 
that  lay  near  your  hearts,  and  for  that  inheritance  for  which  our 
fathers  fought,  won,  and  bequeathed  to  us,  and  under  the  convic- 
tion that  if  the  Union  of  these  States  were  broken  up  and  the 
country  lost,  to  the  cause  of  freedom  all  is  lost. 

"In  the  early  days  of  the  Republic,  philosophers  and  statesmen 
of  Europe  had  predicted,  under  the  influence  of  the  thought  and  sen- 
timent of  the  day,  that  a  government  of  the  people,  by  the  people,  for 
the  people,  about  to  be  undertaken  on  a  large  scale  in  the  United 
States,  was  destined  to  result  in  a  splendid  failure ;  that  a  coun- 
try of  such  immense  resources  would  be  able  to  resist  any  possible 
pressure  from  without,  but  when  internal  feuds  and  dissensions 
should  arise,  as  they  certainly  would,  in  the  progress  of  events, 
disintegration,  decay,  and  anarchy  would  follow  as  natural  con- 
sequences. 

"More  than  a  hundred  years  of  successful  experiment,  and 
the  grand  results  of  the  late  war  prove  the  fallacy  of  these  con- 
jectures. 

"You  went  out  thoroughly  imbued  with  sentiments  of  justice 
and  honor.  We  were  not  then,  nor  are  we  now,  called  upon  to 
advocate  or  defend  the  cause  of  war  on  general  principles.  Tak- 
ing into  account  the  full  measure  of  the  horrors  of  war — and  its 
horrors  can  not  be  described  nor  exaggerated — still  there  are  some 
things  worse  than  war.  The  life  of  a  nation,  to  which  is  com- 
mitted the  dearest  interests  of  humanity,  if  assailed,  must  be 
defended  by  all  the  means  and  resources  of  the  nation ;  and  in  our 
case,  the  national  honor  and  the  existence  of  all  that  was  dear  to 
humanity,  was  defended,  vindicated,  and  saved  by  the  prompt  ac- 
tion of  the  citizen-soldier.  Justice  and  honor  were  prominent  among 
the  mottoes  inscribed  upon  our  banners, — justice  to  that  posterity 
which  must  come  after  us,  and  whose  rights  and  interests  we  must 
not  forget,  and  whose  reasonable  expectations  we  dare  not  disap- 
point ;  the  honor  of  the  human  race,  the  honor  of  the  American 
continent,  from  the  days  of  Columbus — from  1776  to  all  time  to 
come — all  these  and  much  more  were  involved. 

"You  went  out  at  the  country's  call,  knowing  that  war  meant 
killing,  and  you  went  to  kill  or  to  be  killed ;  but  you  went  out  a 
merciful  band.  War  and  mercy  seldom  meet  on  the  same  field  of 
strife,  and  yet  when  you  had  won  the  hard-fought  field — as  you  gener- 
ally did — an  act  of  vengeance  or  cruelty  was  unknown  among  you  ; 
you  never  struck  a  fallen  foe,  or  even  reproached  a  captured 


560  MATTERS  OF  ASTONISHMENT. 

enemy.  On  the  contrary,  you  divided  rations  with  your  prisoner, 
and  gave  him,  in  his  destitution,  of  your  scanty  wardrobe.  You 
made  him  forget  that  he  was  a  captive  among  strangers,  much 
less  among  enemies.  Many  acts  of  mercy  were  visible  in  your 
acts  and  movements  as  soldiers,  while  unnecessary  severity  was 
unknown  in  camp,  country,  or  field  ;  and  while  you  fought  as  only 
Americans  can  fight — fought  successfully,  bravely  fought — when 
you  stacked  your  arms  at  the  last,  no  blood-stains  were  upon 
your  armor;  in  the  palm  of  each  and  every  hand  was  written, 
and  on  every  brow  was  inscribed,  in  legible  characters,  '  Blessed 
are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.' 

"  You  went  out  a  God-fearing  band.  No  soldier  of  the  73d  was 
ever  accused  of  cowardice ;  none  ever  flinched  or  faltered  in  the 
line  of  duty,  or  turned  aside  from  or  shirked  responsibility.  One 
fear  only  was  ever  present  with  you,  and  that  was  the  fear  of  God. 
You  were  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  written  sentiment  that,  '  If 
I  regard  iniquity  in  my  heart,  the  Lord  will  not  hear  me.'  In 
one  of  London's  great  centers  is  a  monument  erected  to  one  of 
England's  greatest  soldiers,  General  Havelock.  I  have  had  occa- 
sion to  say  to  more  than  one  Englishman,  while  approving  all  the 
honors  lavished  upon  the  great  Christian  soldier,  that  I  could  show 
them  a  whole  regiment  of  Havelocks  in  our  late  war  in  America. 

"  We  claim  no  honors  which  belong  to  others,  but  we  do  claim 
what  is  ours  of  right  to  claim.  I  was  surprised  in  reading  General 
Sheridan's  Memoirs,  with  the  very  meager  mention  made  of  the 
73d,  and  the  more  so  since  it  was  the  gallant  conduct  and  fighting 
qualities  of  the  regiment  chiefly  that  brought  to  him  promotion. 

"Three  things  have  been  matter  of  astonishment  to  soldiers 
and  statesmen  in  Europe  as  to  the  volunteer  service  in  the  United 
States,  viz.: 

"First.  The  promptness  with  which  our  people  responded  to 
the  country's  call,  and  the  alacrity  with  which  they  hastened  to 
positions  of  imminent  danger. 

"  Second.  The  efficiency  with  which  they  discharged  the  duties 
and  responsibility  of  trained  soldiers ;  and 

"  Third.  The  willing  cheerfulness  with  which  the  volunteer, 
now  become  a  veteran  soldier,  resumed  the  duties  and  vocations 
of  citizenship. 

"As  to  the  first  mystery,  it  only  shows  what  self-government 
will  do  for  a  people  capable  of  governing  themselves.  We  may 
speak  of  the  American  citizen  only  as  we  would  speak  of  those 


SACRED  MEMORIES.  561 

great  physical  outlines  of  our  great  country,  and  after  which  God 
has  fashioned  the  great  souls  of  the  past,  present,  and  future  of 
the  Nation;  viz.,  the  grand  prairie,  the  Mississippi  River,  and  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  The  second  is  solved  by  the  fact  of  our  good 
sense,  which  adapts  us  to  any  and  all  responsibilities.  And  the 
second  mystery  is  explained  further  and  made  clear  in  the  fact 
that  a  man  with  a  rifle  in  hand,  who  can  hit  a  squirrel's  head  in 
the  tallest  tree  that  grows  in  his  native  wood,  will  not  fail  to  locate 
his  bullets  in  the  right  place.  Such  skill  was  possessed  by  a  heavy 
per  cent  of  the  73d. 

"Third:  when  your  services  were  no  longer  required  at  the 
front,  and  they  were  needed  at  the  ballot-box,  you  returned  of 
choice  to  civil  life,  full  of  the  grandest  impulses  of  which  the 
human  heart  is  capable,  and  an  appreciation  of  family,  home, 
friends,  and  happy  country  unknown  to  you,  and  which  your  army 
experiences  taught  you  to  enjoy.  You  entered  upon  a  new  life, 
and  a  grateful  country  welcomed  your  return,  and  caught  the  fire 
of  your  enthusiasm,  and,  inspired  with  new  life  and  renewed 
energy,  has  advanced  in  all  the  arts  of  civilization  unknown  before 
in  the  history  of  the  world — to  all  of  which  your  services  have 
furnished  their  full  share  of  influence. 

"  Compatriots  of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  your  former 
colonel  greets  you  with  a  heart  full  of  love  and  admiration.  A 
thousand  sacred  memories  cluster  about  me  at  this  time — beloved 
memories,  which  lapse  of  time  will  brighten  and  strengthen,  but 
can  never  deface  or  obliterate.  What  our  gallant  regiment  achieved, 
you  did,  and  did  so  well  and  so  thoroughly  that  it  could  not  have 
been  better  done  than  you  did  it. 

"  Seventy-third  has  become  a  sacred  number  with  me,  whether 
on  the  street,  or  room  in  hotel,  or  elsewhere  ;  it  always  fills  me 
with  pleasant  memories,  and  with  delightful  emotions.  If  I  see  a 
locomotive  on  the  track  numbered  73,  drawing  a  train,  passenger 
or  freight,  it  matters  not  how  long  or  heavy,  up  a  grade,  or  down 
hill,  I  say  in  my  heart,  that  train  will  make  the  trip;  73  wins 
every  time  and  in  all  places.  * 


*  Colonel  Jaquess  was  invited  to  officiate  in  opening  a  Church  ba- 
zaar in  London.  After  the  opening  ceremonies,  a  committee  took 
charge  of  the  American  colonel,  escorted  him  through  the  place, 
pointed  out  to  him  a  beautiful  stall  furnished,  and  managed  by  the 
Princess  of  Wales,  and  claimed  the  colonel's  special  attention  to  a 
most  charmingly  beautiful  chair,  with  a  great  deal  of  ornamental  work 

36 


562  OUR  FALLEN  COMRADES. 

"  Comrades  of  the  73d,  I  learned  to  love  and  admire  you  when 
you  were  covered  with  the  sweat  and  dust  of  labor,  and  when  your 
faces  were  black  with  the  powder  and  smoke  of  battle. 

"  Your  noble  deeds  have  passed  into  history,  and  nothing  that 
I  could  say  of  your  courage  and  bravery  could  add  the  slightest 
luster  to  the  brilliant  wreaths  that  encircle  your  brows,  or  sparkle 
on  your  uniforms,  or  adorn  your  persons.  Our  fallen  comrades 
have  hallowed  their  memories  by  what  they  did  side  by  side  with 
us,  and  by  an  act  beyond  which  no  act  of  patriotism  can  possibly 
go,  in  that  last  act  of  loving  devotion  in  which  they  yielded  up 
their  precious  lives.  When  a  monument  of  marble  or  granite 
shall  be  erected  to  memorialize  the  deeds  of  the  73d,  let  the  highest 
niche  in  that  polished  shaft  be  devoted  to  the  loving  memory  of 
our  worthy  dead;  and  only  a  little  below  that,  let  the  private  sol- 
dier's name  be  inscribed,  next  the  commissioned  officers',  rank, 
field,  and  staff,  and  last  place  your  colonel's  name  where  it  belongs, 
in  some  obscure  corner." 

NOTE. — For  many  of  the  facts,  and  much  of  the  statement,  con- 
tained in  this  chapter,  we  are  indebted  to  Captain  Henry  A.  Cast'e,  -i 
St.  Paul,  Minn.  W.  H.  N. 

May  28, 1890. 


on  it,  worked  by  the  princess's  own  hands,  and  requested  him  to  take 
a  chance  in  it.  There  were  some  two  hundred  chances  of  ten  shillings, 
or  some  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  each.  The  colonel  yielded  to  the 
earnest  solicitation,  wrote  his  name  opposite  the  number  73  on  the 
paper,  and  next  day  was  informed  by  letter  that  he  had  drawn  the 
chair.  The  colonel  says  73  did  it. 


PERSONAL  EXPERIENCE.  563 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A  VARIETY  OF  EXPERIENCE — INCIDENT — ADVENTURE — IN  AND 
OUT  OF  PRISON — REMINISCENCE — THE  RECRUITS — RAIL-MAK- 
ING— OTHER  MATTERS  OF  INTEREST. 

A  SKETCH  OF  PRISON  EXPERIENCE. 

BY  W.  K.  LAWRENCE,  LATE  SECOND  LIEUTENANT  COMPANY  C,  SEVENTY-THIRD 
ILLINOIS  REGIMENT. 

ON  the  morning  of  December  31,  1862,  when  the  right  wing 
of  the  Union  army  was  driven  back  at  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  I  was  one  of  the  three  thousand  captured.  There  was 
little  ceremony  about  it.  With  a  squad  of  other  prisoners  I  was 
hurried  to  the  rear,  and  crossed  the  river  on  the  railroad  bridge. 
Upon  the  opposite  bank  we  saw  General  Bragg  and  his  staff  view- 
ing the  battle-field. 

On' the  way  back,  our  guards  boasted  of  the  victory  of  the 
morning,  and  informed  us  of  our  good  fortune  in  being  taken  that 
day,  as  upon  the  next  they  would  raise  the  black  flag  and  take  no 
more  Yankee  prisoners.  The  next  day  the  Emancipation  Procla- 
mation was  to  take  effect.  This  act  of  the  President  caused  an 
intense  feeling  in  the  South  against  the  North.  Pollard,  in  his 
' '  Secret  History  of  the  Confederacy,"  states  that,  by  reason  of  it, 
many  of  the  Southern  people,  and  some  of  the  leading  men,  were 
in  favor  of  treating  all  Union  soldiers  captured  upon  their  soil  as 
outlaws,  and  deserving  instant  death.  This  sentiment  may  ac- 
count for  their  cruel  treatment  of  our  prisoners. 

We  were  taken  to  the  court-house  yard  in  Murfreesboro,  and 
there  turned  in  with  hundreds  of  others,  the  larger  portion  of  whom 
had  been  taken  from  Johnson's  division  upon  our  extreme  right.  The 
commissioned  officers,  about  fifty  in  number,  were  confined  in  the 
upper  story  of  the  court-house.  Prominent  among  these  was 
General  Willich,  who  commanded  a  brigade  in  Johnson's  division. 
In  a  vehement  manner  he  censured  his  division  commander  for  the 
surprise  and  rout  in  the  morning.  The  facts,  now  well  known, 
sustain  that  censure. 


564  "A  SMALL,  THIN,  COLD  BISCUIT." 

From  the  windows  of  our  room,  the  smoke  of  the  battle,  two 
miles  away,  could  be  plainly  seen,  and  the  sound  of  the  firing  very 
distinctly  heard.  By  these  tokens  the  progress  of  the  fighting 
could  be  determined,  and  they  were  watched  with  the  most  intense 
interest.  Late  in  the  afternoon  a  rebel  major  came  into  the  room 
and  informed  us  that  Rosecraus  was  being  rapidly  driven  back, 
and  his  army  was  in  full  retreat  to  Nashville.  His  attention, 
however,  was  called  to  the  fact  that  the  stream  of  prisoners  had 
ceased  to  flow  into  the  court-house  yard  below,  and  that  the  sound 
of  the  battle  indicated  a  desperate  conflict,  which  was  proof  that 
Rosecrans  was  holding  his  own,  and  would  more  likely  be  in  Mur- 
freesboro  before  going  to  Nashville.  So  it  proved  to  be. 

At  sundown  we  were  moved  to  the  railroad  depot,  and  packed 
into  box-cars  for  shipment.  The  doors  were  closed,  and  a  few 
guards  assigned  to  each  car.  As  the  train  rolled  away  we  could 
still  hear  the  sullen  sound  of  battle. 

Some  of  our  number  were  suffering  from  wounds  that  needed 
surgical  attention.  All  were  hungry  and  much  fatigued.  The 
whole  of  the  night  before,  our  part  of  the  army  had  lain  in  line 
of  battle,  without  fire  or  shelter,  under  a  cold  December  sky. 
The  enemy  struck  us  soon  after  daylight  in  overpowering  numbers, 
and  fiercely.  It  was  fight  and  retreat  for  hours  over  rough 
ground,  which  tested  the  strength  and  endurance  of  the  best 
soldiers.  Not  a  man  had  eaten  during  the  day.  Our  haversacks 
and  equipments  were  taken  by  the  captors. 

There  arose  a  clamor  and  demand  for  rations.  They  were 
promised  to  be  furnished  at  Tullahoma.  This  place  was  reached 
far  into  the  night,  because  of  the  delays  by  side-tracking  to  allow 
important  trains  to  go  to  the  front.  The  supply  of  food  at  Tulla- 
homa was  of  the  most  meager  kind.  In  the  scramble  for  it  I  got 
a  small,  thin,  cold  biscuit.  , 

We  were  moved  slowly,  and,  like  a  jury  considering  its  ver- 
dict, were  kept  in  the  box-cars  "without  meat  or  drink,  water 
excepted,"  until  Chattanooga  was  reached  late  in  the  evening 
of  January  1,  1863.  Here  we  were  marched  to  a  vacant  build- 
ing in  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and  had  issued  to  us  rations  of 
corn-meal  and  pork,  to  be  cooked  according  to  our  tastes.  Half 
cooked,  in  the  quickest  manner,  it  was  soon  eaten.  After  a  short 
halt,  we  were  moved  back  to  our  cars,  and  through  the  long  night 
rolled  deeper  into  the  Confederacy.  Near  morning  we  were  in- 
formed that  Atlanta  was  at  hand,  and  that  we  would  there  be  kept 
for  some  time. 


LIEUTENANT  LAWRENCE'S  EXPERIENCE.          565 

We  were  taken  to  a  three-story  brick  building  upon  a  street 
corner,  and  put  in  the  upper  story.  The  place  had  evidently 
been  used  as  a  lodge-room,  some  of  the  stands  and  platforms 
still  being  in  their  places,  and  several  large  chandeliers  hung  from 
the  ceilings ;  otherwise  the  room  was  bare  and  dirty,  but  densely 
populated,  as  we  soon  found  to  our  grief,  by  the  ever-present, 
body-devouring,  sleep-defying  prison-louse. 

Food  was  issued  to  us  once  a  day.  In  the  morning  a  negro 
came  up  with  a  wooden  tray,  filled  with  boiled  beef,  upon  his 
head,  and  throwing  the  contents  upon  a  table,  announced  the  hos- 
pitality of  our  host  with,  "Here's  yo'  meat."  This  was  followed 
shortly  by  the  same  tray  filled  with  corn-bread,  and  unloaded  with 
a  like  ceremony,  "Here's  yo' co'n-bread."  These  scant  supplies  were 
carefully  divided  among  the  prisoners,  and  alone  would  have  barely 
sufficed  to  sustain  life. 

The  want  of  food,  however,  was  much  alleviated  by  the  per- 
mission given  to  buy  eatables.  Greenbacks  were  readily  taken  for 
Confederate  scrip,  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  of  ours  for  two  of  theirs. 
One,  or  even  two,  prisoners  at  a  time  were  allowed  to  go  into  the 
market  with  a  guard,  and  buy  supplies.  The  purchases  were 
mainly  sweet  potatoes,  onions,  and  butter.  A  delicious  compound 
was  made  with  these,  and  the  corn-bread  and  beef,  stewed  together 
in  an  oyster-can. 

Lieutenant  Elliott,  of  the  36th  Illinois,  got  into  serious  trouble 
on  one  of  the  market  trips.  He  had  a  number  of  bills  known  as 
"fac  simile  Confederate  money,"  made  in  the  North,  and  used  to 
some  extent  by  our  soldiers  in  the  South.  It  was  not  difficult  to 
detect,  because  of  better  workmanship  than  that  which  it  was  in- 
tended to  imitate.  He  paid  for  a  large  purchase  of  supplies  with 
this  paper.  Soon  after  his  return  to  the  prison,  a  citizen  with  a 
guard  came  in,  and  after  a  brief  search,  Elliott  was  pointed  out 
by  the  citizen,  and  he  was  at  once  taken  away.  After  a  few  hours' 
absence  he  was  brought  back,  when  he  informed  us  that  he  had 
been  taken  before  a  magistrate,  and  an  examination  had  upon  the 
charge  of  passing  counterfeit  money,  and  that  he  was  likely  to 
be  indicted  by  the  grand  jury  and  sent  to  the  Georgia  penitentiary 
for  his  life-time,  or  during  the  life-time  of  the  Confederacy.  This 
became  a  solemn  matter  for  the  lieutenant.  Plans  for  his  escape 
became  a  topic  of  interest.  The  building  was  at  all  times  sur- 
rounded by  vigilant  sentinels,  continually  passing  their  beats.  The 
stairways  and  the  door  leading  to  our  room  were  constantly 


566  VARIO  US  PASTIMES. 

watched  by  a  number  of  guards.  One  of  the  rooms  in  the  second 
story  of  the  building  was  used  as  a  sort  of  hospital  for  our  sick. 
The  lieutenant  soon  became  sick,  and  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
room.  Here,  by  some  means,  he  became  possessed  of  a  full  suit 
of  butternut  jeans  and  a  hat — doubtless  through  the  persuasive 
effect  of  greenbacks  upon  the  guard.  He  had  a  map  and  small 
pocket  compass,  which  were  usually  carried  by  our  officers.  One 
dark,  rainy,  windy  night,  he  let  himself  from  the  second  story 
window  to  the  ground  by  blankets  tied  together  and  passed  be- 
tween the  pacing  sentinels.  When  a  few  feet  beyond  them,  his 
escape  from  the  city  was  easy,  After  many  days  he  reached  our 
lines  near  Corinth,  Mississippi.  I  met  him  in  the  following  May 
at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  on  my  return  to  my  regiment,  when  he 
gave  me  a  graphic  account  of  his  adventures. 

The  only  means  for  warming  our  room  and  cooking  our  simple 
fare  were  three  small  fire-places  and  green  pine-wood.  Each 
prisoner  was  furnished  an  army  blanket  that  appeared  to  have 
been  in  the  service  during  the  war,  and  was  very  dirty.  Our  bed 
was  the  floor.  The  vermin  which  infested  the  place  were  a  source 
of  endless  torment. 

The  blonde  and  thin-skinned  German,  General  Willich,  was 
greatly  troubled  with  these  pests.  He  got  mercurial  ointment  to 
destroy  them,  and  made  a  liberal  application  of  it  upon  his  person 
and  clothing.  It  soon  made  him  very  sick,  and  he  was  taken  to 
the  hospital  room  below.  After  some  days'  absence  he  returned  to 
us,  very  thin  and  pale,  and  with  much  dejection  said:  "If  I  stay 
here  the  little  vermins  will  kill  me,  and  if  I  use  medicine  to  kill 
the  vermins,  the  medicine  kills  me ;  so,  I  think,  poys,  I  am 
done  for." 

Several  kinds  of  amusement  were  devised  to  occupy  the  long 
winter  evenings.  There  was  no  restraint  upon  the  use  of  gas,  and 
at  night  all  the  jets  of  the  chandeliers  were  fully  turned  on,  which 
flooded  the  room  with  light.  For  a  consideration,  a  guard  was 
induced  to  get  us  a  fiddle.  With  this  music  "  stag  dances"  were 
of  nightly  occurrence  for  some  time.  Tiring  of  this,  General 
Willich  was  enlisted  to  lecture  upon  military  science.  Captain 
Edgerton,  of  an  Ohio  battery,  a  fine  elocutionist,  read  from 
Shakespeare.  An  Indiana  lieutenant  instructed  a  class  in  calis- 
thenics. Much  of  the  day-time  was  employed  in  games  of  cards, 
chess,  and  checkers.  Confederate  officers  were  frequent  visitors. 
Their  talk  was  largely  devoted  to  the  project  of  forming  a  North- 


ON  TO  RICHMOND.  567 

western  Confederacy.  It  was  argued  by  them  that  the  people  of 
the  North-western  States  and  those  of  the  South  were  natural 
allies ;  that  the  Mississippi  was  the  natural,  and  should  be  the 
free  highway  for  these  two  sections  of  the  country.  These  views, 
however,  met  no  favor  from  the  prisoners.  Facts  have  since  come 
to  light  that  show  the  same  views  were'  entertained  by  a  class  in 
the  North,  who  at  that  particular  time  were  noted  for  disloyalty 
to  the  Government,  and  who  were  in  close  communication  with 
the  enemy  in  the  South. 

Thus  passed  the  time  until  about  the  middle  of  February,  when 
the  information  was  given  that  we  would  be  moved  at  once  to 
Richmond  for  exchange.  It  was  received  with  great  satisfaction. 
At  night  we  were  moved  out  and  placed  in  box-cars,  but  without 
guards.  Augusta  was  reached  the  next  morning,  and  here  we 
were  kept  in  the  large  depot  building  until  dark.  Passenger  cars 
were  now  furnished  us,  and  we  started  across  South  Carolina. 
Recent  heavy  rains  had  swollen  the  rivers  and  flooded  the 
country,  which  prevented  rapid  running  of  the  train,  and"  we  did 
not  reach  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  until  late  the  next  evening. 
Very  light  rations  had  been  given  us  when  we  left  Atlanta,  and 
none  had  been  issued  to  us  on  the  route.  Some  foraging  was 
done  while  going  through  South  Carolina  at  the  many  stopping- 
places. 

When  Weldon,  North  Carolina,  was  reached,  the  demand  for 
food  was  so  determined,  that  the  officer  in  charge  managed  to  get 
us  some  meat  and  hard  bread. 

A  short  time  before  we»got  to  this  place,  a  lieutenant  of  an 
Ohio  regiment,  known  by  the  name  of  "Shakespeare,"  because  of 
his  happy  faculty  of  quoting  from  this  poet  to  fit  our  condition, 
was  left  in  the  gloomy  pine-woods  of  North  Carolina.  While  the 
engine  was  taking  water  at  a  tank  he  left  the  train  to  go  to  a 
cabin  a  short  distance  away  to  get  bread,  against  the  protests  of 
his  comrades.  Before  he  finished  negotiating  for  the  food,  the 
train  started.  He  ran  screaming  and  gesticulating  to  stop  it,  but 
without  avail.  The  last  we  saw  of  "Shakespeare"  he  was  stand- 
ing upon  the  track  waving  his  hat.  He  was  but  a  few  miles  from 
the  coast  and  our  forces,  but  believing  that  we  were  on  the  sure 
road  to  freedom,  he  boarded  several  trains  before  he  was  allowed 
to  ride  into  Richmond  as  a  Yankee  prisoner.  When  he  found 
that  we  were  guests  at  the  Hotel  de  Libby,  and  he  was  invited  to 
join  us,  he  discovered  his  great  mistake  of  "  on  to  Richmond." 


568  ONE  MEAL  A  DAY. 

We  reached  Richmond  in  the  night  and  were  taken  directly  to 
Libby  prison,  entering  the  door  at  the  north-western  corner  where 
hung  the  sign,  "Libby  &  Son,  Ship  Chandlers."  It  was  a  large 
brick  structure  fronting  north,  and  situate  near  the  James  River, 
between  which  and  the  prison  ran  the  canal.  It  has  since  been 
removed  to  Chicago,  and  now  stands  upon  the  east  side  of  Wabash 
Avenue,  fronting  west,  and  is  an  exact  representation  of  the 
original. 

The  first  quarters  assigned  us  were  in  the  basement  in  the  west 
end,  a  room  one  hundred  feet  long  by  forty  feet  wide,  with  three 
windows  in  the  south  end  looking  out  upon  the  river.  It  was  a 
dark,  damp,  gloomy  place,  in  which  there  were  several  hundred 
prisoners  besides  our  Atlanta  recruits. 

When  the  heavy  door  with  its  iron  fastenings  clanged  behind 
us,  the  trick  to  get  us  through  the  Confederacy  without  guards., 
upon  the  promise  of  exchange,  was  apparent. 

We  had  been  changed  from  bad  to  a  great  deal  worse.  Our 
quarters  were  now  of  the  very  worst  kind.  Our  food  was  not 
increased  in  quality  or  quantity,  and  there  was  no  longer  the  op- 
portunity to  supply  the  deficiency  by  purchase.  A  half  loaf  of 
baker's  bread,  about  one-fourth  ration  of  inferior  raw  beef,  and  a 
like  ration  of  black  beans,  or  rice,  were  issued  to  each  prisoner 
daily.  A  few  cook -stoves  were  provided  for  cooking  the  food. 

For  convenience  the  crowd  was  divided  into  messes  of  twelve, 
and  numbered.  Each  mess  took  its  turn  in  cooking,  and  the 
cooking  was  from  daylight  till  dark  to  allow  one  meal  a  day  for 
each  mess.  There  were  about  fifty  messes  in  this  room. 

Soon  after  we  got  to  Libby,  General  Stoughton,  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  was  brought  a  prisoner  to  our  room.  It  was  re- 
ported that  he  had  been  captured  by  Mosby's  men,  outside  of  our 
lines,  while  sharing  the  hospitality  of  a  Virginia  family.  He  was 
a  very  promising  young  officer,  and  made  a  fine  appearance  in  his 
new  bright  uniform,  particularly  when  contrasted  with  the  dirty, 
tattered  garbs  of  his  new  acquaintances  in  misery.  But  there  was 
no  distinction  in  rank ;  the  generals  and  colonels  did  their  share 
of  the  cooking  with  the  second  lieutenants,  and  all  fought  lice 
together. 

Several  squads  of  recruits  came  in  from  time  to  time.  There 
were  General  Coburn  and  his  officers,  captured  at  Spring  Hill, 
Tennessee;  Colonel  Fletcher,  of  the  31st  Missouri,  and  several 
officers  of  his  regiment,  captured  in  the  bloody  charge  at  Chicka- 


LAWRENCE'S  PRISON  EXPERIENCE.  569 

saw  Bayou.  There  was  an  addition  of  a  few  naval  officers,  taken 
down  upon  the  coast. 

We  were  not  kept  a  great  while  in  this  "  black  hole  of  Cal- 
cutta," as  it  was  called ;  then  we  were  moved  to  the  top  room  in 
the  east  end  of  the  building.  It  was  a  very  agreeable  change, 
being  light  and  airy,  although  part  of  the  time  quite  cold. 

From  the  beef  issued  to  us  we  got  a  large  amount  of  bone. 
The  whitest  and  hardest  portions  of  it  were  worked  into  various 
ornaments  and  trinkets.  This  became  quite  an  industry,  and 
many  of  the  men  showed  much  artistic  skill  in  their  work.  The 
case-knives  furnished  us  to  eat  with  were  made  into  saws  to  divide 
the  bone  into  the  proper  dimensions.  Some  of  the  kindly  dis- 
posed guards  were  induced  to  get  us  a  few  small  files,  and  with 
these  tools  the  bone  was  fashioned  into  many  curious  shapes. 
Cards,  chess,  and  checkers  employed  the  time  of  many.  Lights 
were  not  allowed  at  night. 

Each  morning  the  prisoners  were  put  in  six  ranks,  extending 
the  length  of  the  room,  and  counted.  This  appeared  an  unneces- 
sary regulation,  as  escape  did  not  appear  possible.  The  guard 
duty  about  the  prison  was  most  rigid  and  vigilant.  Some  months 
after  our  release,  however,  General  Streight  and  a  large  number 
of  prisoners  escaped  from  a  room  upon  the  floor  below  the  one 
occupied  by  us.  An  entrance  was  made  into  the  basement  or 
cellar,  and  from  the  east  wall  a  tunnel  was  dug  beneath  a  narrow 
open  space  of  ground,  coming  out  in  a  tobacco-shed  about  forty 
feet  from  the  prison.  We  were  more  rigidly  guarded,  not  being 
allowed  to  look  out  of  a  window  or  go  about  the  opening  in  the 
floor  that  led  into  the  room  below. 

Every  morning  about  sun-up  an  old  colored  man  came  into  the 
prison  with  the  Richmond  dailies  for  sale — the  Enquirer  and 
Examiner.  He  announced  his  coming  at  the  head  of  the  stairway 
in  a  loud  voice:  "  Heah's  yo'  mo'ning  papers — EnquiaJi  and  Ex- 
aminah — great  news  from  Fredericksburg  —  twenty  thousand 
Yankees  killed,  and  de  balance  ob  dem  taken  pris'nahs!"  When 
the  old  man  got  upon  the  floor  and  was  crowded  about  for  the 
papers,  his  sly  grins  showed  that  his  speech  was  made  as  much  to 
please  the  guards  below  as  to  induce  the  purchase  of  his  wares. 

Military  operations  were  active  about  Fredericksburg  and 
Chancellorsville  during  our  stay  at  Libby,  and  furnished  most  of 
the  news  for  the  Richmond  papers. 

A   short  time   before   we   left,  Stoneman's  raid  caused  great 


570  A  GLOOMY  PROSPECT. 

excitement  in  the  city.  One  Sunday  morning  the  long  roll  was 
beat  at  the  guard  quarters  across  the  street.  There  was  a  hurried 
formation  of  them  in  the  street,  and  they  were  at  once  marched 
away,  and  men  in  citizen's  dress  were  substituted  for  them  as  sen- 
tinels. A  notion  prevailed  among  some  of  the  prisoners  that 
these  new  men  might  be  overpowered  by  a  rush  and  our  escape 
thus  made.  As  preliminary,  a  few  bricks  were  torn  from  the  wall 
and  thrown  down  at  the  guards,  to  which  they  very  promptly  re- 
sponded by  shots.  This  discouraged  all  thought  of  getting  out  by 
stampeding  the  guards. 

As  the  weeks  slowly  went  by,  and  spring  began  to  change  the 
gray  hills  and  fields  across  the  James  to  a  pleasing  green,  the 
murmurings  of  the  six  hundred  penned  in  this  miserable  place 
became  general.  The  probability  of  an  early  exchange  had  dis- 
appeared. Confinement  here  during  the  long  heat  of  summer 
was  viewed  with  dread  by  the  most  indifferent.  The  food  fur- 
nished would  not  keep  down  the  constant  irritation  of  hunger. 
The  ceaseless  annoyance,  that  amounted  to  torture,  of  the  vermin 
crawling  and  creeping  everywhere,  rasped  the  nerves  of  the  most 
stoical.  The  narrow  space  in  which  to  move  and  exercise  was  a 
serious  matter.  There  were  no  means  for  a  change  of  clothing  or 
for  personal  cleanliness.  All  tended  to  make  this  prison  life  a  horror. 

At  about  the  gloomiest  time,  General  Ould,  the  rebel  commis- 
sioner of  exchange,  visited  us,  and  he  was  at  once  plied  with 
questions  as  to  the  chances  of  release.  He  was  an  affable,  smooth- 
spoken man,  and  very  profuse  in  his  expressions  of  regret  at  our 
situation.  He  claimed  that  it  was  all  the  fault  of  our  Govern- 
ment that  we  were  not  exchanged ;  that  he  had  gone  to  the  ex- 
treme of  liberality  to  bring  about  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  He 
did  not  omit  to  depict  our  sad  condition  in  the  coming  summer 
months  should  our  Government  persist  in  refusing  the  generous 
terms  of  exchange  offered  by  the  Confederacy.  With  plausibility 
he  argued  that  the  South'  was  less  able  to  keep  prisoners  than  the 
North,  and  that  they  needed  their  imprisoned  soldiers  more  than 
the  North  did  hers. 

The  commissioner's  speech  aroused  expressions  of  censure  of 
our  Government  by  some  of  the  prisoners.  A  little  incident 
quickly  hushed  it.  A  lieutenant  of  the  31st  Missouri  was  rather 
loud  and  severe  in  his  criticism,  when  Colonel  Fletcher,  of  the 
same  regiment,  sharply  reprimanded  him,  and  gave  him  to  under- 
stand that  such  expressions  were  unbecoming  an  officer,  and  if 


FREEDOM,  HOME,  AND  FRIENDS.  571 

persisted  in  that  he  would  subject  himself  to  court-martial  upon 
his  return  to  his  regiment. 

On  the  evening  of  May  3d  it  was  announced  by  the  officers  of  the 
prison  that  we  would  be  taken  to  City  Point  the  next  morning  for  ex- 
change. The  joy  of  the  prospect  of  release  took  the  place  of  sleep  for 
that  night.  Those,  however,  who  had  been  transferred  from  Atlanta  to 
Richmond,  upon  the  promise  of  immediate  exchange  were  not  so 
exultant  as  their  comrades.  We  had  begun  to  learn  that  the  state- 
ments of  an  enemy- in  time  of  war  were  not  at  all  times  reliable. 

But  at  dawn  the  next  morning  the  door  in  the  floor  was  thrown 
up,  and  Major  Winder,  from  the  top  of  the  steps  in  pompous  tone 
commanded:  "Fall  in  to  be  marched  out!"  We  were  hurried 
down  and  through  the  building,  out  of  the  door  we  had  entered, 
when  each  man  was  given  a  half  loaf  of  bread.  The  march  was 
along  the  street  near  the  river  to  the  railroad,  where  flat  and  box 
cars  were  ready,  and  without  delay,  we  were  soon  moving  away. 
A  number  of  us  took  deck  passage — the  top  of  the  box  cars — to 
get  a  wide  view  of  the  Virginia  scenery  that  had  been  so  long  shut 
off  by  the  walls  of  Libby. 

By  noon  the  James  River  began  to  broaden,  which  had  the 
pleasing  significance  that  we  were  going  toward  City  Point.  Shortly 
a  great  cheer  began  at  the  head  of  the  train  and  ran  the  length  of 
it.  Through  the  young  leaves  of  the  trees  skirting  the  river  the 
glimpse  of  the  flag  was  seen  fluttering  from  the  mast  of  a  vessel. 
Before,  to  the  unsentimental,  this  emblem  of  our  country  had 
been  merely  a  banner  to  designate  it,  for  its  soldiers  to  follow,  to 
rally  around,  and  to  guide  the  lines  of  march  and  battle.  Now  it 
was  the  rainbow  of  hope,  and  promise  of  freedom,  home,  and 
friends — representing  all  that  we  had  fought  for  and  suffered. 

The  wheels  of  the  train  had  not  ceased  to  turn  when  a  wild 
break  was  made  for  the  vessel  with  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  at  the 
wharf  to  receive  us.  It  soon  steamed  out  into  the  broad  James, 
and  we  left  the  land  of  Dixie. 

We  were  taken  to  Annapolis,  and  after  a  few  days'  stay,  during 
which  we  got  an  entirely  new  outfit  of  clothing,  we  were  furnished 
transportation  and  ordered  to  report  to  our  regiments. 

I  found  my  regiment  in  camp  at  Murfreesboro,  within  two 
miles  of  the  spot  I  had  last  seen  it  nearly  five  months  before.  I 
had  made  the  "grand  rounds"  of  two  thousand  miles,  and  returned, 

"Like  a  "hare  whom  hounds  and  horns  pursue, 
Pants  to  the  place  from  whence  at  first  he  flew." 


572  IMPRISONMENT  AND  ESCAPE. 

SERGEANT  WILLIAM  CAMMIRE. 

The  battle  of  Chickamaugua  was  the  beginning  of  a 
new  experience  to  a  number  of  the  73d.  Some  thirty 
of  the  regiment  were  captured  by  the  rebels  on  that 
fateful  September  day,  in  the  valley  of  "  the  river  of 
death"  Among  them  was  Sergeant  William  Cammire, 
of  Company  H.  Before  the  war  ended,  Sergeant  Cam- 
mire  died  from  the  effects  of  a  wound  received  in 
battle.  But  for  a  wound  he  would  probably  not  have 
been  captured ;  but  he  might  have  been  killed,  as  he 
was  a  man  of  courage  and  determination,  and  disposed 
to  go  where  duty  called,. no  matter  how  great  the  risk 
or  danger. 

Cammire  related  the  facts  and  circumstances  of  his 
capture,  imprisonment,  and  escape  to  Major  Pond,  our 
regimental  surgeon,  who  made  a  record  of  the  same. 
This  record  we  reproduce  in  part,  distinguishing  the 
part  quoted  from  the  part  we  summarize  or  condense. 

In  a  short  time  after  we  came  in  immediate  con- 
tact with  the  enemy,  Cammire  was  wounded  and  be- 
came a  prisoner;  but  being  unconscious,  he  was  not 
apprised  of  his  real  condition  and  surroundings  for 
several  hours.  He  gradually  regained  consciousness, 
and  it  was  with  much  difficulty  at  first  that  he  made 
out  where  he  was.  On  regaining  consciousness  fully, 
he  found  himself  on  the  battle-field,  alone  of  the  living, 
but  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  dead  of  both  the 
Union  and  Confederate  armies.  Sustaining  quite  a  loss 
of  blood  from  the  ugly  wound  he  had  received  behind 
the  right  ear,  there  was  not  only  depletion  of  strength, 
but  a  dryness  of  the  lips  and  tongue,  and  a  sensation 
of  thirst,  intense  and  insatiable  almost.  He  began  his 


RESOLVED  TO  ESCAPE.  573 

search  for  water  at  once.  It  was  past  midnight,  and 
the  search  was  necessarily  slow  and  tedious,  but  his 
patience  was  at  length  rewarded  by  finding  a  canteen 
partly  full  of  water,  which  he  detached  from  the  body 
of  a  dead  soldier,  and  quenched  his  thirst. 

He  would  have  made  his  way  from  the  battle-field, 
but  lack  of  strength  and  ignorance  as  to  the  proper 
direction  to  take  forbade  the  venture.  So,  heart-sick 
and  weary,  he  reluctantly  wrapped  his  blanket  about 
him,  and  lay  down  to  rest.  After  a  seemingly  long  time, 
he  fell  asleep.  We  will  allow  Cammire's  words,  as  re- 
corded by  Dr.  Pond,  to  tell  the  story  : 

"  I  was  awakened  by  some  one  pulling  at  my  blanket.  I 
started  up  suddenly,  and  there  stood  before  me  a  Confederate 
officer,  who  seemed  to  be  as  much  surprised  as  I  was  myself.  The 
first  word  spoken  was  by  the  officer,  who  said :  '  Hello !  you  are 
not  dead.'  I  answered  :  '  No,  sir ;  not  quite.'  This  officer  had 
come  upon  this  part  of  the  battle-field  with  a  large  detail  of  sol- 
diers, to  bury  the  dead,  collect  the  war  material,  and  remove  the 
wounded  I  asked  him  for  a  drink  of  water,  which  he  granted. 

"  They  took  my  gun  and  cartridge-box,  but  left  me  my  blanket,' 
canteen,  and  haversack ;  the  latter  still  contained  some  crackers. 
I  was  never  harshly  treated  by  any  Confederate  while  I  was  a 
prisoner.  I  was  conducted  to  a  point  where  a  number  of  pris- 
oners, mostly  wounded,  were  collected  together.  From  this  point 
we  were  taken  to  Dalton,  a  station  on  the  railroad ;  the  badly 
wounded  in  ambulances,  the  slightly  wounded  in  wagons,  and 
those  that  were  able,  marched.  It  was  nearly  night  when  we 
reached  the  station,  and  the  surgeous  were  busy  through  the  night 
with  the  wounded.  Next  day  my  wound  was  dressed.  It  was 
very  sore  and  painful  for  several  days,  and  my  horror  of  being  a 
prisoner  of  war  was  aggravated  by  the  knowledge  I  had  gained  of 
the  scant  rations  and  accommodations  for  men  worse  off  than 
myself,  and  I  resolved  that  I  would  in  some  way  make  my  escape. 

"  In  the  course  of  two  days,  a  train  of  freight-cars  was  made 
up,  and  started  with  the  prisoners  for  Richmond.  In  the  car  in 
which  I  rode,  were  at  least  fifty  prisoners.  The  train  had  a  heavy 
guard  of  rebel  soldiers,  a  good  share  of  them  riding  on  top  of  the 


574  "A  LEAP  JN  THE  DARK." 

cars,  but  there  was  at  least  one  guard  in  each  car.  I  had  made 
up  my  mind,  come  what  would,  to  leap  from  the  car  when  moving 
at  night,  and  then  make  my  way  back  to  our  lines.  I  proposed 
to  several  prisoners,  inviting  them  to  accompany  me,  but  all  de- 
clined, saying,  I  would  fail,  and  my  condition  would  be  worse 
after  recapture. 

"  I  admitted  it  all;  but  as  my  wound  had  ceased  to  trouble  me 
much,  I  determined  to  make  the  trial.  One  of  the  prisoners 
agreed  to  assist  me  all  he  could,  if  I  was  determined  to  go.  It 
had  been  raining  considerably,  and  the  weather  being  warm  and 
sultry,  the  side-doors  of  the  car  were  both  left  open  while  running. 
As  soon  as  we  arrived  at  a  station,  the  guard  closed  one  door,  and 
stood  in  the  other  until  the  train  started  again.  My  plan 
was  to  sit  in  the  door,  and  when  the  guard's  attention  was  called 
away,  to  leap  from  the  car.  My  friend  had  agreed  to  take  my 
seat  the  moment  I  left  the  car,  to  avoid  raising  the  suspicion  of 
the  guard. 

"We  had  passed  the  middle  of  the  second  night,  and  I  was 
eagerly  watching  my  opportunity  after  passing  a  station,  when, 
suddenly  the  train  came  upon  a  long,  high  bridge,  and  I  regretted 
my  neglect,  for  I  knew  I  would  have  to  recross  that  river  before 
regaining  our  lines.  Soon  after  crossing  the  river,  I  discovered  we 
were  approaching  a  large  town,  and,  watching  an  opportunity, 
while  the  guard  was  engaged  in  another  part  of  the  car,  I  made 
the  leap  in  the  dark  for  liberty.  As  good  luck  would  have  it,  I 
was  successful,  not  even  receiving  a  bruise,  landing  on  my  feet 
in  water  and  mud.  I  crawled  up  the  bank,  and  by  the  light  of 
the  guard's  lantern,  I  plainly  saw  my  comrade  sitting  in  my  place 
in  the  door  of  the  car.  The  train  moved  on,  and  I  knew  that  my 
escape  had  not  been  discovered. 

"  And  now  my  troubles  commenced.  In  the  woods,  and  in 
the  enemy's  country,  which  I  knew  nothing  about,  with  a  deep 
and  swift  river,  and  an  unknown  distance  between  me  and  the 
Union  army,  my  condition  was  anything  but  enviable.  But  it 
was  too  late  to  recall  what  I  had  done,  and  I  determined  to  make 
the  best  of  it.  The  country  was  densely  wooded  and  uneven,  and 
I  made  but  little  progress  iu  the  few  remaining  hours  before  day- 
light. The  night  was  dark,  and  I  took  a  northerly  direction  as 
near  as  I  could  determine ;  but  when  daylight  came,  I  found  I 
had  been  traveling  directly  east,  instead  of  north.  I  was  farther 
from  home  than  when  I  jumped  from  the  car.  I  had  nothing  to 


CAMMIRE  RECAPTURED.  575 

do  but  secrete  myself,  study  ray  bearings,  and  prepare  for  another 
night's  tramp.  I  still  retained  my  blanket,  canteen,  and  haver- 
sack ;  and  my  fellow-prisoners  had  generously  divided  their  scant 
rations  with  me,  wishing  me  success,  but  doubting  my  ability  to 
accomplish  my  'purpose. 

"  The  rest  and  sleep  through  the  day  greatly  refreshed  and  en- 
couraged me,  and  early  in  the  evening  I  changed  my  course,  and 
started  in  a  north-west  direction.  I  soon  found  a  tolerably  plain 
road,  leading  nearly  in  the  direction  I  wanted  to  go,  and  I  followed 
the  road  until  it  disappeared ;  but  the  woods  were  more  open,  and 
I  kept  my  course  until  daylight,  when  I  came  to  a  larger  road, 
bearing  more  to  the  west.  My  small  stock  of  crackers  was  ex- 
hausted, and  to  keep  in  the  road  in  day-time  would  probably  result 
in  my  recapture.  But  hunger  knows  no  law. 

"  I  continued  for  several  miles  in  this  open  road,  hoping  to  meetor 
see  some  negroes — for  I  thought  they  would  befriend  me — and  get 
some  assistance  from  them,  in  order  to  continue  my  journey,  when 
suddenly  an  old  gray-headed  man  stepped  out  into  the  road  from 
behind  a  clump  of  bushes,  and  presented  a  double-barreled  shot- 
gun, and  ordered  me  to  halt.  I  tried  to  reason  with  him,  but 
he  would  listen  to  nothing,  and  ordered  me  to  take  off  my  haver- 
sack and  canteen,  and  lay  them  down  in  the  road.  I  saw  there 
was  no  use  at  all  to  try  to  reason  with  the  old  man,  and  I 
obeyed  orders.  He  brought  his  old  gun  to  a  level,  cocked  both 
locks,  and  ordered  me  to  march  ten  steps  in  front  of  him  to  his 
house,  which  was  about  one  mile  from  where  he  met  me  in  the 
road. 

"  To  be  taken  prisoner  by  Confederate  soldiers  was  bad  enough, 
but  to  be  taken  prisoner  by  such  a  specimen  of  poor  white  trash 
as  that  old  man,  was  humiliating.  I  was  ashamed  of  myself,  but 
there  was'no  help  for  it.  When  we  arrived  at  his  home — a  tol: 
erably  good  sized  house,  part  log  and  part  frame,  with  veranda  in 
front,  running  the  whole  length — he  shut  me  in  a  small  room  at 
one  end  of  the  veranda,  and  called  up  a  small  boy  ten  or  twelve 
years  of  age,  and  placed  him  at  the  door  with  orders  to  shoot  me 
if  I  attempted  to  escape.  He  informed  me  that  he  should  take 
me  over  the  river  to  a  railroad  station  where  there  were  soldiers, 
and  turn  me  over  to  them  either  that  evening  or  the  next  morn- 
ing. I  told  him  I  was  very  tired  and  hungry,  and  asked  him 
for  something  to  eat.  He  answered  me  short,  saying  they  had 
nothing  in  the  house,  and  that  he  did  n't  believe  in  feeding  the 


576          OFF  FOR  RICHMOND  AGAIN. 

d — d  Yankees  no  how,  and  much  of  the  same  kind  of  talk.  The 
boy  seemed  to  be  kind  enough,  and  between  him  and  an  old  negro 
woman  that  was  about  the  premises,  I  managed  in  the  course  of 
the  night  and  day  to  get  enough  to  appease  my  hunger. 

"Early  the  next  morning  we  started  for  the  railroad  station, 
where  I  was  to  be  given  up  to  the  Confederate  soldiers,  a  prisoner 
again.  The  order  of  march  was  the  same  as  before,  myself  in 
front  a  few  steps,  and  the  old  man  and  boy  behind,  each  with 
shot-gun  all  ready  for  use.  In  this  way  we  marched  in  silence 
some  four  or  five  miles,  when  we  came  to  the  river,  and  the  old 
man  ordered  me  to  halt,  and  gave  the  boy  orders  to  shoot  me  if  I 
made  an  attempt  to  escape.  He  went  into  the  bushes  close  by 
the  river,  and  hauled  out  a  small  boat,  and  made  me  take  the 
fore  part  of  the  boat,  while  he  and  the  boy  paddled  across,  one 
or  the  other  of  them  constantly  on  guard.  When  we  were  over 
we  resumed  the  march  the  same  as  before.  It  was  about  two 
miles  down  the  river  to  the  station  where  I  was  formally  delivered 
to  the  guards.  When  the  exchange  was  made  I  gave  the  old 
man  a  little  good  advice,  which  he  did  not  soon  forget,  probably. 
I  told  him  plainly  that  if  I  ever  got  back  to  the  army  again,  and 
should  happen  to  come  that  way,  I  would  settle  the  matter  between 
us.  I  did  not  so  much  mind  being  a  prisoner  with  soldiers,  for 
they  had  some  little  humanity  about  them,  but  that  old  man 
had  none. 

"My  talk  to  the  old  man  rather  pleased  the  lieutenant,  who 
conducted  me  to  the  guard-house.  He  said  there  would  be  a 
train-load  of  prisoners  along  that  day  some  time,  when  I  would  be 
sent  on  to  Richmond.  When  the  train  arrived  I  was  put  aboard. 
The  train  was  full,  and  was  guarded  the  same  way  as  before.  I 
had  had  all  the  experience  I  wanted  in  jumping  from  trains,  and 
concluded  to  make  no  more  effort  to  escape,  at  least  before  I  got 
to  Richmond.  It  was  the  same  old  gaze  by  the  residents  at  each 
station  at  the  'd — d  Yankee  prisoners,'  as  they  called  them,  with 
an  occasional  jeer,  which  was  only  too  well  answered  by  some  'cute 
Yankee. 

"On  our  arrival  at  the  city  we  were  marched  in  a  body,  under 
a  strong  guard,  to  a  large  building  standing  on  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  confined  in  the  second  story.  The  prison  was  called 
Castle  Thunder.  The  reason  for  the  name  I  never  could  tell.  It 
was  a  queer-looking  old  building,  and  was  like  everything  else  in 
that  neighborhood — in  an  unfinished  condition.  There  were  sev- 


OUT  OF  PRISON.  577 

eral  windows  in  the  room  looking  out  on  the  river.  It  was  im- 
possible to  tell  whether  the  water  was  deep  or  shallow  near  the 
house.  I  can  not  say  that  our  treatment  as  prisoners  was  bad. 
The  rebels  gave  us  rations  of  corn-bread,  rather  coarse,  and  some 
meat.  We  got  no  coffee  or  tea,  unless  some  of  the  prisoners  had, 
by  good  luck,  saved  a  little  money  and  purchased  them.  The 
prison  was  strongly  guarded,  and,  at  first  sight,  it  seemed  an  im- 
possibility to  make  an  escape.  I  was  sick  and  tired,  and  spent 
most  of  the  time  in  sleep,  when  the  wound  in  my  head,  which 
was  at  times  painful,  would  permit. 

' '  At  least  two  weeks  were  passed  in  this  way,  when  I  began  to 
be  restless,  and,  there  being  no  hope  of  an  exchange,  I  determined 
to  make  my  escape  from  the  prison  if  possible.  There  were  many 
plans  of  escape  suggested  by  the  prisoners,  but  none  of  them  appeared 
feasible  to  me.  After  taking  a  careful  survey  of  the  prison  and  its  lo- 
cation, I  could  see  no  other  way  of  escape  but  to  let  myself  down  into 
the  river  some  dark  night,  and  either  swim  the  river  or  come  out  on 
the  same  side  at  the  end  of  the  building,  and  run  the  gauntlet  of  a  line 
of  picket-guards  one-half  or  three-fourths  of  a  mile  in  extent. 

"I  told  my  plan  to  some  of  my  comrades,  but  they  all,  without 
exception,  said  it  was  impracticable,  and  that  if  I  tried  it  I  would 
surely  be  killed  or  captured.  I  could  not  persuade  a  single  one 
to  accompany  me.  I  hesitated  for  several  days  before  I  could 
fully  make  up  my  mind  to  make  the  attempt.  But  the  monoto- 
nous round  of  prison-life,  shut  up  in  a  room  with  two  or  three 
hundred  prisoners,  was  to  me  worse  than  capture  or  death.  At  any 
rate  I  came  to  the  determination  to  make  the  trial.  When  my  fellow- 
prisoners  were  informed  of  my  resolution,  they  agreed  to  assist  me  all 
they  could,  and  arranged  to  make  the  count  hold  out  as  long  as  pos- 
sible, so  as  to  avoid  pursuit,  as  it  was  the  custom  of  the  guards 
to  count  the  prisoners  every  two  or  three  days.  My  plan  was  to 
wait  for  a  dark  night,  and  tie  blankets  enough  together  to  roach 
the  water,  and  let  myself  down  on  them. 

"  The  auspicious  night  at  length  arrived.  The  blankets  were 
tied  together  and  let  out  of  the  window,  my  own  blanket  twisted 
over  my  shoulder.  My  comrades  had  furnished  me  an  old  haver- 
sack, filled  with  such  rations  as  we  received,  enough  it  was  thought 
to  last  me,  with  care,  three  days,  and  with  my  canteen,  which  they 
had  also  furnished  me,  all  equipped  for  the  dangerous  journey.  I 
bade  my  friends  farewell,  crawled  out  of  the  window,  and  let 
myself  down  slowly  to  the  water.  Feeling  my  way  carefully  in 

37 


578  SLIPPED  OFF  FROM  THE  GUARDS. 

the  water,  I  found,  to  my  great  joy,  that  it  was  only  two  or  three 
feet  deep  close  to  the  building. 

.-.-  "  I  gave  the  signal  agreed  upon  to  pull  the  blankets  in,  and 
concluded  to  wade  carefully  to  the  end  of  the  building,  take  the 
shore,  and  try  to  dodge  the  sentinels.  I  moved  slowly  in  the 
water,  keeping  close  to  the  building,  and  when  I  reached  the  cor- 
ner, I  took  a  careful  survey  of  the  premises  before  stepping  out 
upon  the  shore.  I  had  the  advantage  of  the  guards  on  duty.  I 
was  below,  and  in  looking  up,  I  could  barely  discover  the  dusky 
form  of  the  sentinel  as  he  slowly  paced  his  beat.  Watching  my  op- 
portunity as  the  guard  passed  the  corner  of  the  building,  I  stepped 
lightly  on  shore,  and  walked  in  the  opposite  direction  as  far  as 
prudence  would  permit,  before  his  return. 

"  There  were  plenty  of  hiding-places  between  the  road  on  the 
bank  and  the  river,  formed  by  boxes  and  lumber,  of  which  fact  I 
was  well  aware  before  I  started.  I  concealed  myself  close  to  a  pile 
of  lumber,  and  waited  the  return  of  the  guard.  So  soon  as  he 
commenced  his  retrograde  march,  I  would  make  an  advance,  care- 
fully watching  for  any  movement  near  me,  and  hiding  again  when 
I  thought  I  had  gone  as  far  as  I  could  without  being  seen.  It 
Avas  a  slow  and  tedious  journey,  but  in  this  way  I  succeeded  in 
making  my  way  past  all  the  sentinels,  some  fifteen  or  twenty  of 
them,  for  nearly  one  mile. 

"  While  I  was  on  this  perilous  journey,  the  guard  was  changed. 
I  had  to  wait  until  everything  was  quiet  before  proceeding,  and  I 
began  to  fear  that  I  would  not  be  able  to  get  through  before  day- 
light. I  walked  on  for  nearly  a  mile  farther,  all  the  time  looking 
for  a  safe  place  to  hide  for  the  day. 

"  I  came  at  last  to  a  lumber-yard — mostly  timber  and  railroad 
ties — and,  after  looking  about  for  some  little  time,  I  found  a  secure 
hiding-place,  and,  wrapping  my  blanket  about  me,  I  lay  down  in 
a  very  comfortable  position  to  take  a  sleep  and  wait  for  day- 
light. My  first  hiding-place  must  have  been  nearly  or  quite  three 
miles  from  Castle  Thunder. 

"  When  I  awoke,  it  was  nearly  noon,  and  the  road  between 
me  and  the  river  was  filled  with  wagons  and  teams  of  every  de- 
scription, passing  and  repassing.  I  was  within  fifty  yards  of  the 
road,  and  a  large  body  of  troops  passed  in  the  course  of  the  day, 
going  up  the  river.  There  was  one  point  from  which  I  had 
a  fair  view  of  the  road  for  nearly  one-half  mile.  I  was  not  very 
anxious  to  show  myself. 


CAMMIRE'S  ACCOUNT.  579 

"It  must  have  been  near  midnight  before  I  ventured  out  to 
resume  my  journey.  The  night  was  cloudy,  and  it  had  rained  in  the 
after  part  of  the  day,  but  I  was  well  sheltered,  and  my  clothing 
was  nearly  dry  from  the  wetting  in  the  river.  Late  as  it  was  in 
the  night,  I  occasionally  met  a  team  in  the  road,  which  I  always 
avoided,  stepping  to  one  side  until  it  had  passed.  I  was  following 
the  road  up  the  river,  which  ran  an  easterly  course,  and  to  avoid 
as  much  as  possible  coming  in  contact  with  portions  of  the  array 
which  I  knew  to  be  north  of  the  city.  I  knew  I  must  go  nearly 
due  north  to  reach  Washington,  or  to  find  any  portion  of  the 
Union  army.  But  I  concluded  to  go  west  until  I  was  fairly  out 
of  reach  of  the  Confederate  army. 

"  Nothing  of  a  startling  character  interrupted  me  in  my  travels- 
the  second  night,  and  I  probably  made  twelve  or  fourteen  miles 
north,  and  about  daylight  I  concealed  myself  in  a  thick  clump  of 
bushes  near  the  road,  and  waited  for  another  night. 

"Some  time  in  the  morning  the  clouds  broke  away,  and  the 
sun  came  out  bright  and  warm,  and  had  it  not  been  that  I  was 
beginning  to  feel  the  pangs  of  hunger,  and  that  the  wound  in  my 
head  had  become  somewhat  painful  and  needed  dressing,  I  should 
have  been  comparatively  happy.  As  it  was,  I  could  do  nothing  but 
lie  still,  and  dream  of  the  good  time  coming  when  I  should  once 
more  be  free.  So  soon  as  it  was  dark,  I  commenced  my  journey. 
It  was  a  starlight  night ;  everything  bid  fair  for  me  to  make  a 
good  march,  and  put  several  more  miles  between  me  and  the  rebel 
capital. 

"  Towards  midnight  I  saw,  at  some  distance  ahead  of  me, 
several  horsemen  coming  down  the  road,  and  I  stepped  aside  into 
the  bushes  to  let  them  pass.  I  soon  discovered  that  they  were  the 
advance-guard  of  a  large  body  of  rebel  cavalry,  and  instead  of  being 
detained  a  few  minutes,  I  was  detained  four  hours.  A  whole 
brigade  of  cavalry,  with  three  or  four  pieces  of  cannon,  and  a 
large  number  of  wagons,  passed  by.  I  waited  impatiently,  but  at 
last  the  road  was  again  clear,  and  I  resumed  my  travels.  It  was 
nearly  daylight,  and  having  been  detained  so  long,  I  was  a  little 
imprudent,  and  continued  my  walk  until  it  was  quite  light. 
Just  before  I  was  going  to  secrete  myself  for  the^day,  there  sud- 
denly appeared  three  or  four  horesemen  in  a  turn  of  the  road 
about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  ahead.  I  barely  caught  a  glimpse  of 
them,  and  immediately  took  to  the  woods,  and  was  lucky  in  finding 
a  secure  place  near  the  road,  and  waited  for  them  to  pass. 


580  RECORDED  BY  DR.  POND. 

"They  rode  rapidly  down  the  road,  and  when  nearly  opposite 
me,  came  to  a  halt.  I  could  distinctly  hear  every  word  of  their 
conversation.  One  of  them  contended  that  he  saw  a  man  dodge 
into  the  bushes  dressed  in  a  Federal  uniform,  and  said  he  believed 
him  to  be  an  escaped  prisoner  from  Richmond.  The  others  said  that 
they  were  looking  down  the  road  and  saw  nothing ;  and  they  tried 
to  make  him  believe  it.  It  was  impossible  for  them  to  ride  in  the 
woods,  and  in  a  short  time  they  passed  on  down  the  road,  but  not 
until  I  heard  the  man  say  he  knew  there  was  a  Federal  soldier 
there  in  the  brush,  and  that  he  would  go  to  Esquire  Meacham's 
and  get  his  bloodhounds,  and  put  them  on  the  track. 

"This  last  expression  as  they  rode  away  filled  me  with  dismay. 
To  be  chased  by  bloodhounds  was  more  than  I  bargained  for,  and 
to  risk  it  by  staying  where  I  was  all  day,  was  more  than  I  dared 
to  do.  One  of  two  things  I  must  do,  risk  taking  the  road  in 
open  daylight,  or  travel  in  the  woods.  The  last  was  not  practi- 
cable. It  was  an  exceedingly  rough  country,  heavily  wooded,  and 
full  of  deep  cuts,  rocks,  and  underbrush ;  and  besides,  if  he  did 
come  with  the  hounds,  they  would  surely  overtake  me,  with  noth- 
ing to  defend  myself  with  except  a  heavy  stick — hickory — which 
was  my  only  weapon. 

"In  sheer  desperation  I  took  the  road,  and  traveled  in  double 
quick  time  at  least  two  miles,  seeing  no  one.  Then  I  came  to  a 
long  hill,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  I  came  to  a  creek,  which  I 
crossed,  and  perhaps  passed  one  hundred  yards  beyond,  when  the 
thought  occurred  to  me  to  travel  down  the  creek.  I  returned,  and 
took  down  the  stream,  traveling  in  the  water,  which  was  not  very 
deep.  I  followed  on  down  about  two  miles,  where  a  railroad 
crossed  the  stream,  and  perhaps  one-half  mile  farther,  where  I 
found  a  nice  warm  hiding-place  on  the  bank  of  the  stream,  and  lay 
by  for  the  day,  tired,  sick,  and  hungry,  waiting  for  the  hounds. 
My  excitement  was  so  great  that  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  sleep, 
and  I  passed  a  restless  day. 

"Several  trains  passed  on  the  railroad  during  the  day  ;  and  the 
bloodhounds  were  within  hearing  distance  from  about  noon  until 
nearly  night ;  but  they  never  crossed  the  railroad  to  the  best  of 
my  knowledge.  I  made  another  discovery  during  the  day,  that  a 
wagon-road  ran  north  in  the  valley,  two  or  three  hundred  yards 
east  of  me,  which  I  concluded  to  fcake  as  soon  as  it  was  dark. 

"I  had  now  been  without  food  of  any  description  for  forty- 
eight  hours,  for  my  three  days'  rations  were  not  enough  for  one 


FOUND  FRIENDS.  581 

day,  and  it  was  only  a  matter  of  time,  as  I  knew  then,  and  only 
a  short  time,  before  I  would  be  compelled  to  get  something  to 
eat — if  I  had  to  surrender — or  starve.  But  I  was  determined  to 
travel  one  more  night,  and  take  my  'chances  before  surrender. 
Weak  and  hungry  as  I  was,  I  started  early  in  the  evening,  being 
almost  discouraged,  and  often,  saying  to  myself:  "  You  had  better 
give  up."  But  the  thought  of  being  again  a  prisoner  seemed  to 
renew  my  courage,  and  I  traveled  on,  frequently  resting  by 
the  way. 

"This  road  was  not  so  much  of  a  thoroughfare  as  the  one  I  had 
left,  and  I  was  not  disturbed,  although  I  passed  several  large  plan- 
tations during  the  night.  The  houses  were  generally  some  dis- 
tance from  the  road.  I  could  not  have  traveled  more  than  five 
or  six  miles  before  I  discovered  that  it  was  beginning  to  be  day- 
light. A  short  distance  ahead  there  was  a  very  large  plantation — 
the  largest  I  had  seen.  I  went  as  far  as  the  corner,  where  there 
was  a  cross-road,  and  hid  myself  in  the  thick  bushes,  and  waited 
in  hopes  that  some  negro  would  come  along  and  I  would  venture 
to  ask  for  something  to  eat.  There  was  a  very  large  house  some 
distance  from  the  road,  and  at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
where  I  was  secreted,  and  to  the  left  of  the  house,  a  little  village 
of  small  houses,  which  I  knew  to  be  negro  quarters.  It  was  not 
long  before  there  was  a  stir  among  the  negroes,  and  I  waited  and 
watched  impatiently  for  some  of  them  to  come  past. 

"Suddenly  I  heard  a  step  down  the  road  from  the  other  direc- 
tion. I  looked  carefully  through  the  bushes,  and  to  my  great  joy 
saw  an  old  negro  woman  coming  down  the  road  with  an  immense 
bundle  on  her  head.  When  she  arrived  opposite  me,  and  not 
more  than  fifteen  feet  away,  I  stepped  boldly  out  of  the  bushes 
and  stood  before  her;  She  was  terribly  frightened,  and  came  very 
near  giving  a  shriek.  I  immediately  said :  'Aunty,  can  you  give 
me  something  to  eat  ?'  After  the  first  exclamation  of  surprise, 
her  next  words  were :  '  O  Lor'  gor  ormity !  Massa,  you  nearly 
scar'  me  to  def.  Ar'  you  one  of  Mr.  Linkum's  sogers  ?'  I  an- 
swered yes ;  that  I  had  run  away  from  prison,  and  was  trying  to 
get  back  to  the  Union  army.  '  Wai,  you  jest  git  right  back  in 
de  bushes  dar  ;  ef  ole  Massa  or  any  of  dem  white  folks  sees  you, 
you're  a  treed  coon,  now,  sho';  you  go.'  She  appeared  to  be  in 
so  much  fear  of  my  being  seen  that  I  stepped  back  into  the 
bushes,  when  she  said :  '  You  keeps  hid  clos',  and  I  '11  send  Joe 
up  hyar  'fore  long.  You  keeps  hid,  and  we'll  feed  yer.' 


582  REACHED  THE  LINES,  NOVEMBER,  1863. 

11  She  passed  on  down  the  road  to  the  negro  quarters,  and  hope 
revived  within  me ;  but  it  seemed  to  me  an  age  before  Joe  made 
his  appearance.  At  last,  near  noon,  I  saw  an  old,  white-headed 
negro  coming  up  the  road  with  a  bundle  under  his  arm,  and  he 
was  singing  at  the  top  of  his  voice.  When  he  arrived  nearly  to 
the  place  where  I  was  hid  he  stopped  singing  and  stepped  into  the 
bushes,  and  came  to  me.  He  appeared  to  be  in  a  great  hurry, 
and,  laying  the  bundle  down  before  me,  he  said:  'Aunt  Dinah 
sent  me  up  hyar  ;  can  't  stay  no  time ;  you  '11  fin'  some  corn-bread 
and  meat  in  dar,  and  some  ole  clo's,  for  if  dey  should  see  yer  in 
dem  clo's,  you'd  nebber  get  back  again,  sho' ;'  and  dar  is  sum 
charcoal  in  dar,  and  yer  must  black  yer  face  and  han's,  and  when 
dem  white  folks  down  dar  all  done  gone  in  de  house  to  dar  dinner, 
yer  take  down  de  road  dar  till  yer  comes  to  big  gate,  and  den  yer 
goes  by  de  ole  terbacker-house  down  dar,  and  go  in  de  secon'  cabin 
do'.  Aunt  Dinah  is  dar,  and  I  '-11  be  dar.' 

"  While  this  speech  was  going  on  I  was  untying  the  bundle, 
and  found  inside  a  whole  corn-pone,  warm,  a  piece  of  meat,  and  a 
large  baked  yam.  It  was  the  sweetest  and  best  meal  I  ever  ate." 

Finding  "  Old  Joe,"  and  following  his  directions  and 
guidance,  eventually  placed  Cammire,  after  two  or  three 
more  nights'  travel,  safely  within  the  Union  lines. 
Then  he  went  to  Washington  City;  from  thence  he 
made  a  long  journey  to  his  Illinois  home,  and  in  due 
time  rejoined  his  regiment  in  East  Tennessee,  in  the 
early  part  of  1864.  Doctor  Pond  was  greatly  sur- 
prised on  seeing  Sergeant  Cammire,  as  it  was  his  un- 
derstanding that  he  was  reported  on  the  regimental 
records  as  killed  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga. 

OUR  CAPTURE  AND  PROVIDENTIAL  ESCAPE. 


BY    RILEY    M.   HOSKINSON. 


The  following  narrative  was  written  for  the  special  use  of  my 
wife  and  family,  and  not  intended  as  a  public  document;  the 
statements  therein  contained  are  strictly  correct,  to  the  best  of  the 
knowledge  and  belief  of  the  writer.  It  is  therefore  submitted  in 


R.  M.  HOSKINSON'S  STORY.  583 

its  original  form,  omitting  only  some  of  the  conversation  and 
minor  items.  It  is  as  follows : 

Monday,  September  13,  1863. — Three  o'clock,  A.  M.,  roused  to 
draw  three  days'  rations ;  obeyed.  Lay  down  and  slept  about 
an  hour  ;  roused  again,  ordered  to  march  immediately ;  so  we  packed 
up  and  away,  right  back  to  the  Lookout  Mountains,  which  we 
had  just  crossed.  Arrived  at  the  mountain  foot  about  nine  A.  M. ; 
sat  in  the  broiling  sun  till  nearly  sundown,  waiting  for  the  narrow 
road  to  be  cleared  so  we  can  get  up.  Our  brigade  slowly  climbing 
while  I  write. 

September  14th. — Traveled  nearly  all  night  getting  up  the 
mountain.  Camped  a  few  hours ;  up  and  away  again.  Just  at 
sundown  reached  our  old  camp  at  the  mountain-side ;  staid  here 
over  night.  Received  orders  to  be  ready  to  march  at  five  o'clock 
A.  M.,  but  did  not  move  till  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  of 
the  15th.  Routed  all  of  a  sudden,  and  ordered  off  on  the  in- 
stant. Some  of  the  men  had  gone  foraging,  others  were  asleep; 
I  was  issuing  rations.  In  less  than  twenty  minutes  our  brigade 
was  in  line,  and  ready  for  march.  A  moment  more,  and  away  we 
go  along  the  mountain  in  a  north-easterly  direction.  Country 
rough  and  stony,  but  of  pretty  good  soil,  judging  by  the  corn  and 
other  products;  and  if  one  could  live  on  water  alone,  there  need 
be  no  fear  of  death,  as  the  water  here  is  very  abundant,  and  of 
the  best.  We  camped  for  the  night  in  a  circular  valley.  I 
slept  on  three  rails.  Roused  in  the  morning  of  the  16th  at  four 
o'clock,  to  be  ready  for  march ;  3d  Brigade  gone  ahead  of  us  up 
the  mountain.  About  eight  o'clock  A.  M.  we  are  ordered  into 
line,  and  our  men  to  assist  in  getting  the  wagons  and  artillery  up 
the  steep  mountain-side,  which  is  the  steepest  of  any  we  have 
ever  climbed.  It  took  eight  hours  of  severe  work  to  get  our  divis- 
ion-teams to  the  top.  The  top  of  the  mountain  is  nearly  level, 
but  poor  and  rocky.  Found  a  few  poor  families  there  that  had 
eked  out  a  miserable  existence  for  sixteen  to  twenty  years.  Again 
away  we  go  across  the  mountain  to  its  eastern  side.  Here  it  is 
almost  perpendicular,  capped  with  rock ;  but  the  view  is  sublime. 
Farm  after  farm  rose  into  view,  until  lost  in  the  dim  distance,  and 
shut  out  by  a  small  mountain  called  "Pigeon."  From  this  on- 
ward, we  are  told,  commences  the  great  cotton-growing  region  of 
the  South.  A  little  beyond  this  mountain  the  rebels  are  in- 
trenched, awaiting  our  approach.  Down  we  go ;  road  very  steep, 
but  quite  smooth.  Reached  the  bottom ;  went  into  camp  for  the  night. 


584  INTERESTING  MEMORANDA. 

Morning  of  the  17th. — For  the  first  time  in  many  months  we 
are  left  to  march  in  the  rear.  Just  at  sunrise,  boom  !  goes  a 
cannon,  and  our  men  raise  a  shout  of  joy.  Orders  are  given  for 
our  men  to  take  forty  rounds  of  ammunition  in  their  cartridge- 
boxes,  and  twenty  more  in  their  pockets,  and  be  ready  for  action 
at  a  moment's  warning.  Just  at  noon,  ordered  to  march  on  the 
instant ;  marched  about  half  a  mile  to  an  open  field,  where  we  piled 
up  in  seemingly  inextricable  confusion  ;  but  Generals  McCook  and 
Sheridan  soon  straightened  the  mass,  and  each  party  marched  in  good 
order,  some  here,  and  others  there.  Then  for  a  time  all  was  still, 
and  we  momentarily  awaited  the  opening  roar  of  battle ;  but  it 
came  not,  only  from  the  distant  front  came  the  sounds  of  cannon. 

Here  we  remained  till  about  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 
18th.  Up  and  drew  two  days'  rations ;  remained  quiet  till  nine 
A.  M.  Received  orders  to  march ;  moved  off  in  a  south-easterly 
direction.  Country  extremely  poor ;  timber  small — scrubby  oak 
and  pine.  Three  o'clock  P.  M.,  went  into  camp;  staid  till  about 
seven  P.  M.  Ordered  to  march  again ;  packed  up  our  little 
budgets,  and  sat  down  to  await  orders  to  move  on.  The  weather 
being  quite  frosty,  we  made  a  lot  of  nice  fires  out  of  Secesh  rails. 
This  was  the  site  of  the  skirmishes  we  had  been  hearing  previously. 
About  eleven  P.  M.  we  were  ordered  to  move  on.  We  then  piled 
all  the  rails  we  had  left  on  the  fires,  and  had  a  beautiful  illumi- 
nation. Marched  only  a  few  rods  and  halted  again,  and  again 
burned  more  rails  to  make  us  light  and  keep  us  warm. 

Just  ahead  of  us  another  brigade  had  fired  a  large  log-house, 
which  was  burning  furiously  as  we  passed.  Slowly  and  wearily 
on  we  go — start  a  few  steps,  then  stop  again.  Quite  dark,  and 
the  road  strange,  I  remarked:  "If  I  could  only  see  the  Dipper,  I 
could  tell  our  course."  One  of  the  men  observed :  "  They  have 
thrown  away  the  dipper,  and  substituted  a  gourd."  Thus  we 
made  merry  the  best  we  could,  till,  about  three  A.  M.  of  the  19th, 
we  turned  into  camp,  some  fifteen  miles  south  of  Chattanooga,  in 
the  valley  of  the  Chickamauga,  Georgia.  I  slept  in  some  brush 
till  roused  by  the  bugle-call  to  up  and  away.  Ate  a  hasty  break- 
fast, and  in  a  short  time  were  ordered  to  stay  in  camp  till  about  noon. 

While  we  wait  in  camp,  the  roar  of  artillery  is  constantly 
heard  some  little  distance  in  front  of  us,  and  we  expect  our 
turn  will  soon  come  to  join  the  deadly  fray.  About  ten  A.  M. 
we  slowly  move  forward.  About  three  P.  M.  we  come  to  the 
battle-ground  of  the  morning,  and  still  the  sound  is  far  in  front 


CHICKAMAVGA  AGAIN.  585 

of  us.  We  halt  at  a  huge  spring,  called  Crawfish,  thirteen  miles 
south  of  Chattanooga,  Tennessee.  Here  we  eat  our  dinner,  con- 
sisting of  crackers  and  raw-side  bacon  (•"  sowbelly"  the  men  called 
it).  We  again  form  line,  and  march  about  a  mile,  and  halt  in  a 
skirt  of  woods.  In  a  few  minutes,  General  Sheridan  rode  up  and 
ordered  our  brigade  to  go  double  quick  to  Lee  &  Gordon's  mill, 
about  a  mile  east,  to  hold  a  ford.  I  and  my  son  Stuart  were  or- 
dered back  to  the  field  hospital,  near  the  spring,  to  assist  the  sur- 
geons. By  the  time  we  got  there,  wounded  by  scores  were 
being  brought  in.  These  were  wounded  in  various  parts,  many  in 
the  legs  and  arms,  several  in  the  head.  Stuart  and  I  helped  carry 
them  to  places  of  safety,  and  then  made  fires  to  keep  them  warm, 
the  houses  being  previously  filled  with  wounded.  While  all  this 
was  being  done,  others  made  coffee  and  distributed  among  the 
sufferers  ;  others  assisted  in  binding  up  wounds ;  so  all  were  busy. 
The  conflict  lasted  till  about  nine  P.  M.  I  shall  not  attempt  a 
description  of  this ;  language  fails  to  do  it. 

Sabbath  morning,  September  20th. — Just  at  sunrise  the  work  of 
death  began  again.  Stuart  and  I,  knowing  our  regiment  to  be  out 
of  provisions,  started  in  search  of  them.  Found  them  about  three 
miles  distant,  on  a  hillside,  covered  by  a  small  orchard.  None  of 
them  had  yet  taken  part  in  the  conflict.  The  3d .  Brigade  of  our 
division  was  in  yesterday's  fight,  and  lost  heavily.  Some  rebel 
prisoners  told  us  this  morning  that  they  had  come  prepared  to 
meet  one  hundred  and  fifteen  thousand  men,  and  they  intended 
giving  us  the  severest  fight  of  any  time  heretofore. 

About  ten  A.  M.  the  cannonade  becomes  terrific,  mixed  with 
the  incessant  crash  of  musketry.  The  work  of  destruction  goes 
fearfully  on.  Some  of  our  men  are  asleep,  some  reading  papers, 
some  writing  letters,  etc.,  while  a  general  seriousness  seems  to  per- 
vade most  of  them.  Just  at  half-past  ten  A.  M.,  orders  came  for 
our  brigade  to  rush  to  the  contest.  Away  they  go,  on  the  double- 
quick,  down  the  hill  into  the  woods,  and  out  of  sight,  which  is  the 
last  I  saw  of  them — or  ever  will  of  many  of  them — "  till  heaven's 
last  thunder  shakes  the  world  below." 

Stuart  and  I  had  orders  to  stay  on  the  hillside  and  assist  the 
doctors,  when  any  wounded  were  brought  up  there.  In  a  few 
moments  more  the  contest  deepened  (if  possible)  into  tenfold  more 
terrific  proportions.  There  we  stood  till  about  half-past  one  P.  M. 
The  cannon-shots  were  too  frequent  to  count,  and  the  musketry 
sounded  like  throwing  handfuls  of  salt  into  a  hot  fire.  Add  to  all 


586  FATHER  AND  SON  PRISONERS. 

this  the  shouts  of  officers  and  the  screeching  of  the  men,  as  they 
charged  upon  each  other,  and  it  combined  to  make  a  scene  per- 
fectly indescribable.  I  forgot  to  be  afraid,  and  wished  the  whole 
Southern  Confederacy  annihilated  for  causing  so  much  carnage 
and  death.  Our  doctors  came  not,  and,  seeing  we  were  about 
being  surrounded,  we  moved  back  quite  a  distance.  About  three 
P.  M.  the  sound  of  battle  somewhat  abated. 

At  this  time  an  officer  told  us  which  way  to  go,  and  we  did  as 
directed,  and,  following  some  ambulances  that  were  carrying 
wounded  men,  they  led  the  way  back  to  the  hospital  near  the 
spring.  We  had  only  time  to  unload  the  wounded  men,  when 
the  whole  premises,  six  hospitals  in  number,  were  surrounded  by 
two  brigades  of  Wheeler's  cavalry,  and  a  regiment  of  infantry, 
yelling  at  the  top  of  their  voices,  as  if  hell  had  suddenly  emptied 
itself  of  all  its  contents.  In  a  few  moments  (seeing  we  made  no 
resistance),  a  tall,  fine-looking  Texan  rode  up,  and  told  us  we  were 
all  prisoners  of  war.  This  event  took  place  about  half-past  four 
o'clock,  Sabbath  afternoon,  September  20,  1863. 

As  we  were  perfectly  powerless,  we  made  the  best  we  could  of  a 
bad  bargain.  The  rebs.  now  came  up  in  squads,  and  demanded  our 
blankets,  canteens,  knives,  guns,  etc.  I  dropped  my  knife, tpocket- 
book,  and  gold  pen  into  my  boot-leg,  and  hid  my  gum-blanket  and 
canteen  while  they  were  robbing  others.  When  they  came  to 
me,  wanting  my  knife,  I  offered  them  a  case-knife  I  had  picked 
up  on  the  way  back  to  the  hospital.  This  they  refused,  and  after- 
ward let  me  alone.  The  officers  did  not  maltreat  us  in  the  least, 
but  were  nice  and  polite,  asking  us  numerous  questions,  and  we 
as  many  in  return.  They  took  away  part  of  our  hospital  stores, 
all  our  ambulances,  doctors'  horses,  our  brass  band  instruments, 
and  all  the  guns  they  could  find.  Several  fine  rifles  had  been 
hidden  away,  and  after  the  others  had  been  taken,  I  advised  the 
breaking  of  these,  which  was  done. 

On  Tuesday,  General  Wheeler  sent  his  medical  director,  who 
allowed  one  man  to  cook  for  each  twenty,  and  four  more  to  assist 
the  latter.  My  first  duty  was  the  taking  of  the  names  of  all  the 
wounded,  their  company,  regiment,  and  rank.  I  found  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-six  living,  and  nineteen  others  so  badly  wounded  as 
to  die  soon  after  being  brought  in.  I  then  assisted  in  the  care  and 
treatment  of  the  wounded.  We  had  not  time  to  bury  the  dead, 
but  stored  them  in  the  cellar  till  we  could  dig  one  vast  grave,  and 
tumble  them  in,  side  by  side,  seventeen  in  all. 


SOME  PROVOKING  QUESTIONS.  587 

September  23d. — Calm,  cold  morning.  Stuart  and  others  went 
to  the  battle-field,  and  found  some  five  hundred  of  our  dead  still 
unburied,  and  about  one  hundred  others  still  alive,  but  so  badly 
wounded  as  to  be  unable  to  help  themselves,  or  get  away.  They 
collected  these  together  in  little  groups,  and  gave  them  bread  and 
water — all  we  had  to  give.  Our  provisions  all  gave  out  about 
this  time,  and  all  of  us  had  to  live  on  boiled  wheat. 

On  Thursday,  September  24th,  a  detail  of  men  was  sent  to 
the  battle-field,  to  dress  the  wounds  of  those  still  alive.  The 
groans  and  cries  of  the  wounded,  and  their  varied  wants,  are  in- 
describable. This  day  an  officer  by  the  name  of  Reiss  came  to 
parole  as  many  as  were  thought  necessary  to  care  for  the  wounded  ; 
theirs  and  ours  both  being  cared  for.  I  assisted  in  writing  paroles, 
and,  in  writing  one  for  myself,  spoiled  it,  and  the  officer  spoiled 
the  one  I  wrote  for  my  son,  so  we  were  both  left  out.  It  was  now 
impressed  on  my  mind,  "  It  is  the  will  of  God  that  you  should 
escape,  and  you  ought  to  do  it."  In  the  afternoon  I  was  sent  with 
a  squad  of  men  to  Lee  &  Gordon's  mill,  to  put  it  in  order  to 
grind.  While  thus  engaged,  two  brigades  of  rebel  cavalry  came 
there  to  water  their  horses,  and  rest  awhile.  These  would  gather 
round  us,  and  ask  questions.  Most  of  them  behaved  nicely,  while 
others  were  very  insulting.  They  would  come  close  up  and  peer 
into  our  eyes,  and  ask:  "  What  do  you  think  of  us  now,  ha?" 
"  Guess  we  whipped  you  good,  did  n't  we,  ha?"  "  Guess  we  made 
you  run  this  time,  didn't  we,  ha?"  "  You  came  to  subjugate  the 
South,  did  you,  ha?"  "You  came  to  free  our  niggers,  did  you, 
ha?"  "Guess  old  Rosy  could  n't  make  Longstreet  run  !"  "You 
folks  broke  up  this  mill,  and  now  you  want  to  grind  on  it.  Do  n't 
you  think,  damn  you,  you  ought  to  starve  to  death?"  etc.  Finally 
got  the  mill  going,  ground  some  wheat,  and  returned  to  our  hos- 
pital prison. 

Friday,  September  25th. — Built  an  out-oven  of  bricks,  so  they 
could  bake  bread.  The  rebs.  came  with  two  wagons,  and  brought 
a  little  meal,  some  bacon,  and  rice,  then  took  from  the  other  hos- 
pitals as  many  wounded  as  they  could  haul,  stating,  at  the  same 
time,  that  on  the  morrow  (Saturday)  they  would  take  away  all  the 
unparoled.  I  now  went  to  the  pine-woods,  knelt  down,  and 
asked  God  to  direct  me  how  to  act.  My  duty  to  escape  seemed 
clear,  and  I  resolved  to  try  it. 

Meanwhile,  Stuart  had  found  a  few  pieces  of  crackers  in  an 
old  camp  some  distance  away ;  these  he  brought  in  his  haversack. 


588  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  ENEMY. 

I  told  him  it  was  God's  will  that  we  should  get  away,  aud  I  was 
determined  to  try  it  that  night,  and  he  then  consented  to  go  with 
me.  I  now  made  ready  for  our  departure  while  he  slept.  I  now 
asked  our  chief  physician,  Dr.  McGee,  of  the  51st  Illinois  In- 
fantry, for  his  advice  in  the  matter.  He  said,  "Go,"  and  then 
gave  me  a  message  to  his  colonel,  in  case  we  succeeded  in  our 
efforts. 

About  half-past  nine  P.  M.  I  roused  Stuart,  and  told  him : 
"Now  is  our  time  to  be  off."  He  went  into  the  cellar,  and  got 
about  two  pounds  of  beefsteak,  as  the  men  had  .killed  a  small 
animal  that  day.  Now,  all  being  ready,  \ve  make  the  fearful 
plunge  for  our  escape.  We  had  three  separate  guards  to  pass, 
and  the  moon  shone  in  its  beauty.  We  did  not  fear  as  long  as 
we  were  near  any  of  the  hospital  tents,  but  our  hearts  beat  heavily 
as  we  passed  into  the  space  beyond.  The  crashing  of  the  leaves 
and  little  twigs  seemed  to  betray  our  object,  and  we  momentarily 
expected  to  hear  the  word  "halt!"  or  feel  ourselves  pierced  by 
bullets.  But,  thanks  be  to  God!  none  of  these  happened. 

After  some  six  miles'  travel  through  fields  and  woodland,  we 
came  to  the  foot  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  felt  safe.  Here  we 
rested  awhile,  and  then  began  the  steep  ascent,  reaching  the  top 
about  half-past  two  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  nearly  exhausted 
from  fatigue.  Crawled  into  the  top  of  a  fallen  hickory,  where  we 
staid  till  daylight.  We  now  tried  to  kindle  a  fire,  but  our  matches 
were  spoiled,  so  we  ate  a  little  raw  beef,  some  bread  and  water. 
Looked  down,  and  saw  some  of  the  outer  guards  we  had  passed  in 
the  night.  We  now  climbed  a  high  pinnacle  of  rocks  that  rose 
above  us  some  two  hundred  feet;  reached  the  top  of  this  in  safety. 

While  I  was  penning  notes  of  our  night's  march  two  rebs. 
came  up  the  same  path  we  had  come,  and  accosted  us  with, 
"Who  are  you  ?"  "  Where  did  you  come  from  ?"  and  "  How  came 
you  here?"  etc.  I  lied  to  them,  and  said  :  "We  belong  to  a  lot 
of  General  Hooker's  men,  who  are  crossing  the  mountain  at  Dry 
Gap  yonder."  They  then  said :  "  We  have  guards  placed  all 
along  this  side  of  them ;  how  did  you  get  past  these  guards  ?"  I 
told  them  we  had  not  seen  any  guards.  I  then  questioned  them 
as  rapidly  as  I  could  respecting  the  lay  of  the  land,  and  about 
the  late  battle,  etc.  They  told  us  a  great  battle  had  been  fought, 
that  our  men  had  been  defeated,  and  had  fled  to  Chattanooga, 
which  was  just  sixteen  miles  distant,  at  the  end  of  this  mountain  ; 
that  the  mountain  lay  right  up  against  the  city,  and  if  we  would 


SOME  CLOSE  CALLS.  589 

go  down  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain  on  the  opposite  side  from 
which  we  came  up  we  would  find  a  good  and  perfectly  safe  road 
to  Chattanooga,  etc. 

I  thanked  them  for  this  information,  wished  them  well,  and 
started  ;  but  as  soon  as  we  got  behind  some  rocks  I  told  my  son 
our  only  safety  lay  on  the  top  of  this  mountain,  as  their  words 
were  only  a  decoy  to  trap  us,  which  will  fully  appear  further  on. 
Our  path  was  at  times  fearfully  rough;  at  others  small  patches  of 
cleared  land,  with  small  huts  thereon  ;  these  we  carefully  avoided. 
During  the  day  we  suffered  from  want  of  water,  so  we  descended 
the  mountain-side,  and  near  its  foot  found  plenty  of  water ;  so  we 
concluded  to  slant  up  the  mountain  in  the  opposite  direction  from 
our  descent,  and  when  about  half-way  up  we  saw  some  forty  or  more 
men  on  horseback  coming  up  the  opposite  direction  from  us.  We 
squatted  in  the  weeds  till  they  got  past,  and  then  made  all  the 
haste  we  could  to  get  across  this  road  before  any  more  men  should 
come  along.  The  hillside  being  of  loose,  slaty  formation  ren- 
dered it  very  laborious,  and  we  had  only  reached  about  fifty  feet 
above  the  road,  and  hid  in  the  opening  where  a  tree  had  turned 
out  of  root,  when  another  detachment  of  men  came  in  the  same 
direction  as  the  first,  and  also  had  several  dogs  with  them.  I  felt 
much  afraid  the  dogs  would  scent  us  and  come  up  to  us,  but  they 
did  not. 

We  now  went  unmolested,  till  near  dark  we  came  to  a  low  place 
where. was  a  house  and  a  little  cleared  land.  We  were  so  tired  and 
hungry  we  concluded  we  would  risk  going  to  the  house  and  get 
some  fire  and  make  coffee.  But  on  nearing  it  we  found  where 
numerous  horses  had  been  recently  tied  and  fed,  also  numerous 
places  where  men  had  lain.  We  quickly  skipped  out  of  this,  and 
had  only  gone  a  few  rods  when  we  came  to  the  aforementioned 
"good,  safe  road,"  which,  had  we  followed,  our  captivity  was  as- 
sured. We  passed  rapidly  on,  and  soon  came  to  the  hollow  stump 
of  a  huge  chestnut-tree,  one  side  of  which  was  split  off,  leaving  us 
room  enough  to  creep  in.  Here  we  made  our  bed  for  the  night ; 
slept  soundly,  and  did  not  awaken  till  the  sun  was  up,  and  the 
birds  singing  welcome  to  a  beautiful  Sabbath  morning.  Here  I 
fully  realized  the  force  of  that  Scripture  which  says:  "The  heart 
of  man  deviseth  his  way,  but  the  Lord  directeth  his  steps."  I 
was  fully  satisfied  God  was  guiding  our  steps,  as  will  appear  more 
fully  further  on. 

The  aforesaid  road  now  followed  the  mountain-top,  and  we  had 


590  ARRIVE  SAFELY  AT  CHATTANOOGA. 

considerable  trouble  keeping  out  of  sight  of  it,  as  every  little  while 
we  could  see  men  on  horseback  passing  along  it.  After  consider- 
able walk,  we  came  to  a  thick  wood  of  small  pines,  and  sat  down 
to  rest.  In  a  few  moments  we  heard  voices  and  loud  laughter. 
We  crept  away  from  the  sound  as  fast  as  we  could,  and  my  son 
stopped  and  said  in  a  whisper,  "  See,  this  mountain  falls  off  all 
round,"  which  was  true.  I  looked  a  little  ahead  and  saw  horses 
with  saddles  on,  tied  only  a  few  rods  in  front  of  us,  and  a  little 
further  on,  two  men  standing  with  their  backs  to  us,  looking  off 
below.  This  afterwards  proved  to  be  Summertown,  and  the  men 
were  standing  on  Lookout  Point,  looking  down  into  the  city  of 
Chattanooga. 

We  quickly  turned  aside,  and  jumped,  fell,  and  slid  down  the 
mountain-side,  and  were  soon  where  we  could  look  up  and  see  the 
men  far  above  us.  We  soon  came  to  a  recently  deserted  rebel 
camp,  rested  awhile,  and  watched  the  railroad,  now  in  full  view, 
to  see  if  we  could  find  out  whose  hands  we  were  in.  Finally 
tired  of  this,  and  followed  along  the  mountain-side  till  we  came  in 
view  of  the  Tennessee  River;  sat  down  again,  and  soon  discov- 
ered a  lot  of  our  men  on  the  opposite  side.  We  now  left  our  con- 
cealment, and  hailed  them,  but  they,  taking  us  for  rebels,  only 
made  sport  of  us,  asking,  "  Who  are  you?"  "  What  do  you  want?" 
"  Do  n't  you  want  some  whisky  or  some  coffee  ?"  etc.  I  told  them 
who  we  were,  and  how  we  came  there,  but  they  did  not  believe  it. 
So  we  went  a  little  further  down  the  stream,  where  it  looked  shal- 
low enough  to  wade.  Here  we  constructed  a  small  raft  of  cedar- 
rails,  bound  together  with  small  grape-vines,  stripped  off  our 
clothing  and  laid  them  upon  the  raft,  which  we  thought  to  push 
before  us  as  we  waded  over.  We  no  sooner  pushed  into  the  stream 
than  we  were  beyond  our  depth ;  we  clung  to  the  raft  and  kicked 
our  best,  and  soon  found  we  were  making  headway,  although 
rapidly  drifting  down  stream.  Finally  we  reached  shallow  water, 
where  we  could  wade  out.  By  this  time  a  large  number  of  the 
40th  Regiment  of  Ohio  Infantry  came  to  meet  us,  and  helped  me 
put  on  my  clothing,  as  I  was  so  chilled  I  could  not  stand. 

General  Whitaker,  with  his  brigade,  was  here  on  picket-duty, 
and  the  colonel  of  the  40th  told  us  his  men  wanted  to  shoot  us, 
but  he  had  forbidden  it.  We  were  now  conducted  to  General 
Whitaker,  where  we  told  our  adventure.  He  gave  us  a  good  sup- 
per, and  then  sent  us  over  the  river  to  Chattanooga,  to  the  pres- 
ence of  General  W.  S.  Rosecrans.  Here  we  each  told  our  story 


REMINISCENCE  OF  LINCOLN.  591 

again,  which  was  committed  to  writing,  and  the  next  day  we  were 
sent  to  our  regiment,  or  rather  what  was  left  of  it ;  thence  to 
Colonel  Laibold ;  thence  to  General  P.  H.  Sheridan,  who  told  us 
our  trip  had  been  of  great  use,  as  it  told  many  things  not  previ- 
ously known.  We  then  hunted  the  51st  Regiment  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, and  delivered  our  message. 

I  shall  only  add,  General  Rosecrans  started  a  lot  of  ambulances 
to  Chickamauga  as  soon  as  it  was  light,  this  being  the  first  truce 
allowed  to  enter  upon  the  battle-field,  and  our  poor,  suffering, 
wounded  men  were  brought  away. 

The  above  constitutes  one  of  the  most  fearful  events  of  my 
life,  and  to  God  be  all  the  glory !  Most  respectfully, 

R.  M.  HOSKINSON, 
Late  Com.  Sergeant  73d  Illinois  Volunteers. 

William  M.  Thaler,  Company  A,  has  contributed  an 
interesting  reminiscence  of  the  year  1860 — one  in 
which  he  was  associated  with  Abraham  Lincoln.  It 
appears  that  Thaler  worked  for  Dr.  Wallace,  Lincoln's 
brother-in-law,  quite  a  good  deal,  in  the  years  1853-55, 
and  not  infrequently  worked  for  Lincoln  during  the 
same  time. 

In  1856,  Thaler  was  a  Fillmore  man,  and  on  one  oc- 
casion rode  in  a  delegation  of  Fillmore  men,  consisting 
of  thirty-four  couples.  Lincoln,  knowing  that  Thaler 
was  foreign-born,  and  having  seen  him  in  the  delega- 
tion referred  to,  wrote  him  a  letter,  pointing  out  the 
inconsistency  of  his  training  in  that  kind  of  company. 
Thaler  failed  to  take  the  well-meant  advice  in  good 
part,  as  he  replied  to  Mr.  Lincoln  in  terms  a  little  harsh, 
feeling,  no  doubt,  that  a  strong  point  had  been  made 
on  him. 

Two  years  later,  in  1858,  Thaler  could  not  indorse 
either  the  Lincoln  or  Douglas  party  in  the  senatorial 
contest  of  that  year.  On  election-day,  that  fall,  Thaler 
started  to  Springfield  (from  the  country,  where  he 


592  A  PROMISE  FULFILLED. 

then  lived)  with  two  wagon-loads  of  potatoes,  and  got 
stuck  in  the  mud  before  reaching  Williams ville;  had 
to  turn  around  and  return  home,  being  overtaken  on 
the  way  by  his  three  brothers-in-law,  the  Lantermans, 
going  home  from  the  election.  Thaler  was  told  by  the 
Lantermans  that,  had  he  done  as  he  ought  to  have  done, 
gone  and  voted  the  Lincoln  ticket  at  the  election, 
he  would  not  have  got  stuck  in  the  mud.  In  order  to 
make  things  go  easy  just  then,  having  had  trouble 
enough,  Thaler  promised  in  good  faith  to  vote  for  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  case  another  opportunity  to  do  so  ever 
offered. 

In  April,  1860,  Thaler  went  to  Nebraska  to  look  at 
the  country,  locate  a  claim,  or  purchase  a  tract  of  land, 
and  intending  to  remove  his  family  later.  When  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  nominated  for  President  at  Chicago,  Lan- 
termans wrote  Thaler,  reminding  him  of  his  promise 
to  vote  for  Lincoln,  and  calling  for  its  fulfillment.  Ac- 
cordingly Thaler  returned  to  Illinois,  and  next  morning 
after  reaching  Springfield,  went  over  to  Mr.  Lincoln's 
house,  and  had  a  long  talk  with  him.  Mr.  Lincoln  had 
been  to  Omaha  and  Council  Bluffs  the  preceding  year, 
and  had  many  inquiries  to  make. 

Thaler  told  Mr.  Lincoln  he  had  returned  to  Illinois 
on  purpose  to  vote  for  him,  and  the  correspondence  had 
in  1856  was  adverted  to,  and  any  trouble  or  misunder- 
standing still  existing,  arising  therefrom,  was  declared 
or  considered  as  settled. 

Suddenly  Mr.  Lincoln  spoke  up,  saying :  "  Well, 
William,  you  have  come  a  long  way  to  vote  for  me. 
Now,  would  you  come  as  far  and  shoulder  a  musket  to 
defend  that  vote  ?"  Mr.  Lincoln  was  aware  of  Thaler's 
intention  to  move  to  Nebraska  in  the  spring  of  1861. 


THE  RECRUITS.  593 

The  reader  may  inquire  :  "  Well,  what  has  the  fore- 
going to  do  with  the  history  of  the  73d  Illinois  ?"  We 
answer,  nothing  particularly,  farther  than  the  fact  that 
Thaler  was  a  member  of  the  73d,  and  his  answer  to 
Mr.  Lincoln's  question  was,  "  I  will  do  so  if  it  becomes 
necessary."  In.  so  answering  Mr.  Lincoln's  question, 
Mr.  Thaler  claims  he  was  the  first  man,  in  all  proba- 
bility, to  make  a  tender  of  his  services  to  Mr.  Lincoln. 
Thaler  had  little,  if  any,  thought  that  civil  war  would 
follow  Lincoln's  election ;  but  Mr.  Lincoln  had  a  settled, 
solemn  conviction,  that  war  between  the  sections  was 
inevitable. 

Thaler,  with  his  family,  left  Springfield,  March  11, 
1861,  for  Nebraska.  Mrs.  Thaler,  being  in  bad  health 
at  the  time,  died  the  following  November.  When  the  call 
for  six  hundred  thousand  men  was  made  in  1862, 
Thaler  returned  to  Springfield  with  his  children,  and, 
making  provision  for  them,  went  to  Camp  Butler,  August 
19th,  of  that  year,  enlisted,  and  was  sworn  into  service. 

The  recruits  of  the  73d,  as  we  have  seen,  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  44th  Illinois,  a  veteran  organization,  at  the 
date  of  our  muster-out.  W.  H.  Wilson,  of  Compnny  H, 
Perry,  Illinois,  who  was  one  of  the  number  transferred, 
has  kindly  furnished  the  sketch  below,  giving  briefly 
the  experience  of  these  recruits  after  joining  the  44th : 

"Having  wished  our  comrades  of  the  73d  Illinois  a  fond  good- 
bye, and  sending  messages  by  them  to  loved  ones  at  home,  we  re- 
ported to  Colonel  Russell,  of  the  44th  Illinois,  as  ordered.  We 
were  at  once  assigned  to  our  respective  companies — recruits  from 
Company  H,  of  the  73d,  going  to  Company  H,  of  the  44th,  and 
so  on  through  the  list.  We  were  immediately  ordered  to  Nash- 
ville, and  at  the  depot  we  found  a  train  of  cars  ready  to  carry  usk 
we  knew  not  whither;  but  from  a  remark  made  by  Doctor  Pond, 
we  supposed  we  were  going  to  New  Orleans. 

38 


594  NEW  ORLEANS— TEXAS. 

"Soon  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  locomotive  announced  that  all 
was  ready,  and  away  we  went.  Next  day  we  arrived  at  a  small 
town  on  the  Tennessee  River,  and  found  there  six  or  seven  steam- 
ers in  waiting  for  us,  and  soon  all  of  them  were  loaded,  and  started 
down  the  river.  Nothing  of  special  interest  transpired  until  next 
day,  when  one  of  the  shafts  of  a  water-wheel  broke,  and  fell  back 
into  the  paddles  of  the  wheel,  crushing  them  and  the  rudder  to 
pieces,  causing  our  boat  to  swing  around  and  around  like  a  lost 
duck.  The  unusual  noise  caused  quite  a  panic  among  the  boys, 
who  thought  the  old  boat  had  been  snagged,  and  many  decided  to 
jump  off  and  swim  to  the  shore.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  cool- 
headed  determination  of  Colonel  Russell,  some  of  the  boys  might 
have  found  a  watery  grave.  After  order  was  restored  our  boat 
was  lashed  to  one  of  the  others  and  towed  along,  and  by  the  time 
we  reached  Paducah,  Kentucky,  the  necessary  repairs  were  com- 
pleted, and  our  boat  was  again  able  to  go  alone. 

"  We  reached  New  Orleans  about  June  24,  1865,  and  went 
into  camp  about  seven  miles  below  the  city.  .  We  relished  the  ripe 
figs  that  hung  in  clusters  on  the  trees.  After  remaining  at  this 
camp  a  few  weeks,  we  were  surprised  one  evening  by  the  receipt 
of  orders  to  pack  our  traps  immediately,  ready  for  another  boat- 
ride  the  following  morning.  When  morning  came  we  were  ready, 
and  some  of  the  boys  predicted  we  were  going  home.  As  soon 
as  the  boats  were  loaded,  we  steamed  down  the  Mississippi  River, 
and  soon  learned  that  we  had  to  cross  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  As 
we  went  down  the  river  we  amused  ourselves  by  shooting  at  the 
alligators  that  lay  along  the  banks ;  but,  as  far  as  we  know,  only 
one  was  killed. 

"  When  we  reached  the  Gulf  it  was  very  rough,  and  as  the 
men  of  the  44th  were  not  used  to  that  kind  of  riding,  it  soon  be- 
came necessary  for  all  to  .come  down  to  a  level,  and  all,  we  think, 
except  the  writer,  even  including  Colonel  Russell,  had  a  spell  of 
seasickness.  Allowing  the  men  of  the  regiment  had  the  courage 
to  fight,  had  an  emergency  arisen  at  that  particular  time,  it  would 
have  found  them  nearly  all  disabled  for  fighting,  as  they  were  as  limp 
as  a  dish-rag,  and  quite  as  incapable  of  exertion.  In  a  few  days 
the  sickness  was  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  all  agreed  they  felt  much 
better.  We  arrived  at  Port  Lavaca,  but  were  not  allowed  to  dis- 
embark, but  we  transferred  to  smaller  boats,  and  sailed  up  the 
bay  to  Matagorda,  and  landed. 

"After  leaving  the  boats  we  were  allowed  to  rest  and  refresh  our- 


MUSTERED  OUT— SENT  HOME.  595 

selves;  but  O,  how  thirsty  we  were!  Some  of  us  had  not  tasted 
water  for  several  days.  While  we  were  hunting  water  a  citizen 
drove  in  with  a  load  of  watermelons  to  sell  to  the  "  Yankee  sol- 
diers," as  he  said.  As  the  citizen  asked  only  one  dollar  each  for 
his  melons,  we  thought  the  price  a  little  high  for  us,  but  con- 
cluded Uncle  Sam  was  rich  enough,  and  every  man  who  could 
laid  hold  and  confiscated  a  melon  for  .his  own  use.  We  got  our 
full  share,  and  thought  melons  never  tasted  better.  Of  course  the 
citizen  complained  to  the  officer  in  command  of  the  post,  who 
came  out  and  threatened  to  arrest  every  one  of  us.  But  Colonel 
Russell  interposing,  said :  '  If  you  think  you  can  arrest  my  brigade 
with  only  a  negro  regiment,  why  just  pitch  in,  and  you  will  soon 
find  your  hands  full.' 

"  Next  morning  we  marched  into  the  country,  and,  after  going 
nearly  twenty  miles,  halted  at  night  at  Camp  Irwiu.  Here  we 
learned  that  we  had  been  sent  to  relieve  regiments  whose  terms  of 
service  had  expired.  We  greatly  enjoyed  the  fresh  beef  issued 
to  us,  also  the  ripe  grapes  that  hung  thickly  on  almost  every  tree. 
Nothing  of  interest  transpired  at  Camp  Irwin  during  our  stay. 
There  was  a  gloom  passed  over  us  while  there,  occasioned  by  the 
death  of  two  men  of  the  regiment — one  by  disease,  the  other  by 
drowning.  How  lonesome  we  felt ! — nothing  to  dp  but  eat,  sleep, 
and  wait.  Merriment  was  almost  unknown  among  us,  except  as  it 
was  produced  by  an  old  comrade  named  Eli  Ele,  of  Kalamazoo, 
Michigan,  who  kept  us  amused  by  his  fun-making  and  determina- 
tion to  '  skunk '  us  playing  eucher,  a  part  of  the  time. 

"About  September  1,  1865,  it  was  rumored  that  we  were  to  be 
mustered  out  soon,  and  sent  home.  Shortly  afterward  our  officers 
were  found  busy  making  out  papers,  and  by  the  25th  of  September 
we  were  mustered  out,  and  started  on  our  homeward  journey.  We 
traveled  night  and  day  until  we  reached  Camp  Butler,  and  a  few 
days  later  we  delivered  all  the  property  we  had  belonging  to  the . 
Government  to  the  proper  officer.  We  were  then  taken  to  Spring- 
field, paid  off  on  October  15th,  and  furnished  transportation  to 
our  respective  homes." 

Memoranda  made   by   Captain   E.  J.  Ingersoll,  De- 
cember 22,  1863,  to  January  1,  1864,  both  inclusive: 

"The  4th  Army  Corps  marched   to  the   relief  of  Knoxville, 
Tennessee,  leaving  Bragg,  with  his  broken  and  discouraged  army 


596  INGERSOLVS  MEMORANDA. 

floundering  in  the  wilderness  and  the  mountains  of  Northern 
Georgia. 

"  On  the  departure  of  the  73d,  I  had  been  placed  in  command 
of  about  one  hundred  convalescent  wounded  men,  and  with  Cap- 
tain Motherspaw,  Lieutenant  Sherrick,  and  one  or  two  other 
officers,  had  charge  of  our  camp  at  Chattanooga. 

"  December  22d. — Received  orders  to  prepare  to  march,  with 
five  days'  rations. 

"December  24th. — Moved  out  of  camp  under  command  of 
Colonel  Laibold,  to  escort  our  division-train  to  Knoxville.  The 
command  consisted  of  detachments  of  all  regiments  in  our  brigade, 
and  a  number  of  men  formerly  of  General  Streight's  command 
(just  returned  from  prison,  having  been  exchanged),  amounting, 
all  told,  to  about  three  thousand  five  hundred  men.  We  crossed 
Mission  Ridge  near  the  tunnel,  also  Chickamauga  Creek ;  but 
did  not  get  out  of  hearing  of  the  pickets  at  the  bridge  before 
we  were  informed  of  the  near  approach  of  Wheeler's  cavalry. 
Camped  for  the  night,  thinking  of  Christmas  at  home. 

"  December  25\h. — Brigade  detachment  was  rear  guard  to-day. 
Cloudy,  and  some  rain.  The  train  heavily  loaded  with  camp 
equipage,  dragged  its  way  slowly  through  the  deep  mud.  Rain — 
cold  and  piercing  rain.  Passed  White  Oak  Mountain,  and  camped 
three  miles  from  head-quarters. 

"December  26th. — Marched  about  daylight ;  reached  Cleveland. 
It  was  rumored  that  the  rebel  cavalry  were  approaching.  Strag- 
gling forbidden. 

"  December  27th. — Six  o'clock  A.  M.,  ordered  to  march  ;  the 
train  moved  out.  We  formed  in  line,  and  stood  '  to  arms  ;* 
moved  out  after  the  wagon-train  ;  made  a  short  march,  then  went 
into  camp.  It  rained,  rained,  and  RAINED.  Nothing  to  note, 
other  than  swollen  streams  and  very  muddy  roads,  until  we  reached 
the  little  town  of  Charleston,  on  a  tributary  of  the  Tennessee 
River.  Passed  through  a  gap  in  a  range  of  high  hills,  one  mile 
south  of  Charleston,  about  dark. 

"  Received  order  for  two  officers  and  twenty -four  men  to  return 
to  the  gap  and  guard  it,  without  fires,  as  the  enemy  was  known  to 
be  near.  The  detail  was  made ;  all  the  officers  were  either  sick  or 
suffering  from  wounds.  I  took  command  of  detail ;  we  marched 
back  on  quick  time.  Notwithstanding  orders  to  the  contrary, 
being  a  little  out  of  humor — good  humor — I  told  the  boys  to  build 
all  the  fires  they  '  d — d  please.'  Nearly  chilled  to  tears,  we  began 


CAUGHT  UP  WITH  DIVISION.  597 

our  hard  night's  duty;  sent  pickets  out  on  road,  and  got  through 
the  night  until  near  morning.  My  orders  required  that  we  return 
to  camp  early  in  the  morning,  which  we  did,  leaving  our  picket- 
fires  burning,  and  taking  breakfast  at  daylight  in  camp. 

"Had  just  finished  our  hard-tack  and  coffee,  when  Colonel 
Laibold  ordered  that  we  cross  the  river,  and  dig  down  embank- 
ment for  wagons  to  pass  over.  Began  work  seriously,  in  earnest. 

"  Received  orders  to  deploy  my  command,  and  go  up  the  river 
to  a  ford  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  distant,  where,  it  was  re- 
ported, Wheeler's  cavalry  were  trying  to  cross.  I  deployed  the 
detachment,  and  went  about  a  half  mile ;  was  overtaken  by  another 
order — an  order  to  retreat  to  the  south  side  of  river  at  once. 
Closed  column,  and  marched  back  on  the  double  quick. 

"  Had  just  crossed  the  river  to  south  side,  when,  looking  south- 
ward, saw  the  Confederate  cavalry  charge  through  the  railroad  cut, 
and  then  dash  around  in  the  rear  of  our  picket-fires  in  the  gap;  '  but 
WE  were,  not  there.'  We  were  ordered  to  '  double  quick '  to  the  ex- 
treme right  of  the  brigade  line.  Wheeler  appeared  with  his 
brigade  of  cavalry  in  force,  in  front.  The  73d  detachment  had 
hardly  reached  the  position  assigned  it,  before  the  bugle  blew  the 
charge.  We  whipped  the  brigade  of  rebels  in  about  thirty  minutes, 
killing  quite  a  number,  and  capturing  128  of  them.  Many  were 
wounded.  Among  the  captured  was  Wheeler's  adjutant-general. 
The  Confederate  artillery  stuck  in  the  mud  beyond  the  gap,  and 
had  we  had  a  squadron  of  good  cavalry,  we  might  have  taken  the 
entire  command.  The  train  got  across  the  river  in  safety.  We 
camped  about  two  miles  north  of  Charleston. 

"  December  29th. — Took  up  our  line  of  march  through  mud  and 
rain.  We  reached  London,  December  31st,  at  about  three  o'clock 
P.  M.,  and  stopped  at  a  camp  prepared  by  Confederate  troops  for 
winter-quarters.  Here  we  had  our  first  experience  with  sick  flour. 

"January  1,  1864. — Weather  very  cold  ;  snow  in  the  mountains. 
We  were  engaged  in  preparing  to  cross  the  Tenneseee  River  on  a 
raft,  one  company  and  wagon  at  a  time — a  very  tedious  operation. 
After  a  weary  march  of  several  days,  we  reached  the  division 
north-east  of  Knoxville  without  the  loss  of  a  man  or  a  wagon.  We 
are  firmly  convinced  that  the  building  of  numerous  fires  by  our 
pickets  the  night  before  the  attack  at  Charleston  (Wheeler  being 
thus  led  to  suppose  our  entire  brigade  was  on  guard),  saved  our 
command  from  suffering  more  or  less  loss  of  men  and  wagons." 
Mules,  too. 


598  BULLARD'S  ACCOUNT. 

The  following  additional  memoranda,  touching  the 
march  of  the  convalescents  of  the  4th  Army  Corps  from 
Chattanooga  to  Knoxville,has  been  furnished  by  one  of 
the  number,  William  H.  Bullard,  of  Company  A : 

"December  24,  1868.—  Under  orders  of  the  23d,  we  left  Chat- 
tanooga, marching  out  past  Orchard  Knob  to  the  upper  part  of 
the  valley,  and  crossed  Mission  Ridge  near  the  tunnel  on  the  East 
Tennessee  and  Virginia  Railroad,  about  noon.  We  passed  around 
a  bend  of  the  Chickamauga,  and  crossed  that  stream  on  a  bridge, 
guarded  by  the  75th  Indiana.  The  88th  Illinois  went  on  picket. 
There  are  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  and  a  number  of 
officers,  including  Captain  Motherspaw,  with  us. 

"December  25th. — Christmas  Day.  Our  brigade  was  rear  guard. 
The  day  was  bleak,  cloudy,  and  rainy,  and  we  could  only  guess 
we  were  going  in  a  north-eastern  direction.  We  passed  White 
Oak  Mountain,  through  McKenzie's  Gap,  from  which  place  we 
caught  our  last  sight  of  Lookout  Mountain.  We  passed  several 
houses  that  hung  out  the  old  flag.  The  roads  were  awful.  We 
were  taking  a  very  long  wagon-train  with  us,  and  it  moved 
slowly.  The  rear  guard  camped  three  or  four  miles  from  the 
main  body. 

"  December  26th. — Camped  with  the  troops  about  daylight,  and 
in  the  rain.  Marched  to  Cleveland,  and  camped  one  mile  from 
town,  south-west. 

"  December  27th. — Ordered  to  march  at  half-past  six  o'clock, 
but  did  not.  I  think  from  the  maneuvers,  Colonel  Laibold,  who 
is  in  command,  is  expecting  an  attack.  We  stood  in  line  of  battle 
from  before  daylight  until  the  train  passed  through  the  town. 
There  are,  I  think,  about  four  thousand  men  in  the  force — two 
nearly  full  regiments — that  have  been  assigned  to  our  corps,  so 
we  can  make  quite  a  little  fight,  or  could,  if  we  had  some  artillery. 
Camped  at  Charleston,  on  the  Hiawassee  River;  rained  nearly  all 
day,  and  is  still  at  it.  We  went  out  on  picket  on  the  Cleveland 
road. 

"December  28th. — Left  picket-line  at  daylight.  We  had  only 
reached  the  brigade  when  we  were  sent  over  the  river,  and  set  to 
work  digging  down  the  railroad  embankment  on  the  north  side, 
as  the  railroad  track  bed  had  become  impassable  for  the  wagon- 
train,  which  is  crossing  the  river  on  a  trestle-bridge,  built  where 


QUITE  A  SKIRMISH.  599 

the  railroad  bridge  had  stood.  The  44th  Illinois  was  helping 
us,  and  Colonel  Laiboldt  was  there  personally  superintending 
the  work,  with  several  of  his  staff;  the  remainderhof  the  troops 
lay  in  line  of  battle  around  the  town,  holding  a  line  a  mile  long 
or  more. 

"While  we  were  all  busily  at  work  there  was  some  firing  on 
the  south  side  of  the  river.  Laibold  was  so  busy  attending  to  the 
work  in  hand  that  he  did  not  notice  it  until  one  of  the  staff  called 
his  attention  to  it,  and  the  firing  increased  in  the  meantime.  We 
stopped  work  for  a  minute,  and  Laibold  started  off  briskly,  call- 
ing back  as  he  went :  ' '  Boys,  save  the  hard-tack !" 

11  We  finished  the  work  so  that  trains  commenced  crossing 
again.  Then  Captain  Motherspaw,  in  the  absence  of  other  orders, 
moved  up  the  river  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  any  force  crossing 
and  coming  down  that  side.  We  had  been  there  but  a  few  min- 
utes, when  an  orderly  came  to  us,  and  we  moved  down  the  river 
to  the  bridge,  and  crossed,  and  took  position  on  a  bluff  above  the 
crossing,  where  we  remained  until  the  train  was  all  across. 

"The  firing  for  an  hour  had  been  quite  hot,  but  the  enemy,  as 
well  as  ourselves,  had  no  artillery.  His  force  consisted  of  cavalry 
only,  armed  with  carbines  and  other  short  guns. 

"  When  the  last  wagon  had  crossed  the  bridge,  we  shifted 
from  the  left  to  the  right  center,  and  took  position  on  the  Cleve- 
land road.  As  we  had  nearly  reached  our  position  the  bugles  in 
the  center  sounded  the  "  advance,"  and  the  two  regiments  before 
mentioned  started  with  a  shout,  and  by  a  general  advance  we 
soon  had  Wheeler  and  his  men  hurrying  for  their  horses,  and  hur- 
rying up  the  valley  as  well.  Our  loss  was  3  killed,  and  8  wounded. 
Of  the  enemy  14  were  killed,  and  120  captured.  After  the  fight- 
ing was  all  over,  we  marched  four  or  five  miles,  and  went  into 
camp.  A  squadron  of  cavalry,  posted  at  the  river,  helped  us  very 
materially  in  the  skirmish,  dashing  after  the  enemy  after  we  had 
broken  his  line. 

"December  29th. — To-day  we  marched  to  Athens,  and  camped; 
marched  most  of  the  way  on  the  railroad. 

"  December  30th. — Marched  to-day  to  Sweetwater,  a  nice  little 
town  on  the  railroad.  Passed  a  little  town  called  Relgan.  We 
noted  the  beauties  of  this  part  of  East  Tennessee.  People  seem 
glad  to  see  us,  and  sell  us  all  kinds  of  eatables,  the  only  trouble 
with  us  being  the  lack  of  funds. 

"December  81st. — First   anniversary  of   the    battle  of  Stone 


600  THA  T  "COLD"  JANUARY. 

River.  Marched  all  day  in  the  rain ;  passed  the  little  town  of 
Philadelphia,  and  reached  Loudon,  on  the  Tennessee  River,  about 
sundown.  The  wind  then  changed  to  the  north-west,  and  the 
weather  turned  colder  at  once ;  the  ground  was  frozen  hard  before 
nine,  o'clock.  Our  little  remnant  of  Company  A  arranged  a 
bivouac,  and  got  up  a  huge  pile  of  rails.  While  our  feet  nearly 
roasted,  our  backs  would  nearly  freeze.  I  think  that  at  our  one 
fire  we  burned  at  least  two  hundred  rails  during  the  night. 

"January  1,  1864. — Very  cold.  Treated  myself  to  some  warm 
biscuit  for  a  New  Year's  gift.  They  only  cost  fifty  cents  a  dozen, 
and  are  not  much  larger  than  walnuts.  We  have  to  cross  all  our 
train  on  one  small  flat-boat  that  will  take  a  wagon  and  one  span 
of  mules  at  one  trip,  and  the  remaining  four  mules  the  next  trip. 
It  will  take  several  days  to  cross  at  that  rate. 

" Janudry  4th. — Went  foraging  to-day,  and  got  a  little  meal; 
but  it  was  taken  to  Laibold's  head-quarters  and  issued  out. 

"January  7th. — We  were  taken  across  the  river  in  a  little  ferry- 
boat. While  waiting  to  cross  we  saw  two  mules  drown.  In  driv- 
ing onto  the  boat,  the  cable  broke  as  the  wagon  struck  the  boat; 
the  weight  of  the  wagon  kept  pushing  the  boat  into  the  river 
until  the  wagon  sank  in  the  water  and  pulled  the  mules  backward 
off  the  boat.  The  weather  has  not  warmed  up  much ;  ropes, 
oars,  and  boat  covered  with  ice  yet,  though  no  ice  has  formed  in 
the  river. 

"January  10th. — Have  lain  quietly  since  crossing  river,  and 
lived  principally  on  parched  corn,  which  is  better  than  nothing. 
Ordered  to  march  in  the  morning.  The  train  and  troops  all  over 
the  river  at  last. 

"January  llth. — Marched  to-day.  The  weather  moderated  so 
that  it  began  raiuing  in  the  evening.  We  passed  Lenoir's  Station, 
where  there  are  signs  of  the  burning  of  quite  an  ordnance  train. 
Camped  near  Campbellsville,  where  there  has  been  considerable 
fighting. 

"January  12th. —  Camped  near  Knoxville.  Signs  of  war 
abundant.  Still  living  on  parched  corn. 

"January  13th. — Passed  through  Knoxville;  drew  one-third 
rations  of  bread  and  some  meat,  and  camped  eight  miles  from  the 
brigade,  at  Strawberry  Plains. 

"January  14th. — Reached  the  brigade  and  camp,  the  73d  be- 
ing at  Ha  worth's  Mill,  several  miles  away.  Report  is  current 
that  the  whole  command  will  start  for  Chattanooga  in  the  morn- 


FOLLOWING  THE  COMMAND.  601 

ing,  and  for  that  reason  we  are  not  allowed  to  go  on  to  the  regi- 
ment to-day. 

"January  15th. — Ordered  to  report  to  the  regiment  at  Ha- 
worth's  Mill,  which  we  did,  reaching  there  in  the  afternoon,  being 
ferried  across  the  Little  Tennessee  River  in  canoes  or  dug-outs. 
I  reached  Company  A  with  thirteen  men,  including  myself,  whom 
I  turned  over  to  Captain  Cross,  being  the  same  number  of  men  he 
had  with  him. 

We  have  lately  received  a  letter  from  Comrade  E.  S. 
Turner,  from  which  we  make  extracts,  as  follows : 

"TRUMBULL,  NEBRASKA,  January  22,  1890. 

"DEAR  COMRADE, — Yours  of  the  20th  iust.  at  hand.  In  re- 
ply to  your  inquiry,  would  say,  that  my  answer  to  the  'Johnny's' 
question,  'What's  gold  worth  in  New  York  City?'  was,  '  Green- 
backs— something  you  haven't  got  down  South.'  I  answered 
hastily,  as  I  did  not  want  the  '  Johnnies '  to  get  ahead  of  us.  I 
worked  all  night  to  get  the  boys  to  agree  to  this  truce,  and  after 
it  went  in  force,  Corzine  and  '  Sigel'  (Benjamin  Schaffner),  in- 
sisted on  breaking  it  by  renewing  their  fire. 

"  Our  Company  '  I '  boys  told  me  they  could  not  get  Corzine 
and  '  Sigel '  to  cease  firing.  I  told  them  I  would  stop  their  firing, 
which  I  did  by  going  to  '  Sigel '  and  saying :  '  Sigel,  the  boys 
want  some  fun  with  the  "Johnnies"  and  want  you  to  stop  firing.' 
*  All  right,'  '  Sigel '  answered.  Then  I  went  to  Corzine  and  said  : 
'  The  boys  want  you  to  quit  firing,  so  we  can  have  some  fun  with 
the  "Johnnies."'  Corziue  answered:  'I  won't,  though;  my 
orders  are  to  keep  firing,  and  I  am  going  to  do  it.' 

"  Reasoning  with  Corzine  for  some  time,  and  failing  to  secure 
his  agreement  to  the  '  truce,'  I  finally  said  to  him :  '  You  have 
the  best  place  in  the  whole  line  of  the  regiment,  and  if  you  won't 
agree  with  us  for  a  "  truce,"  I  will  put  you  outside  of  the  works, 
and  you  can  then  fire  to  your  heart's  content,  and  I  only  give  you  two 
minutes  to  agree.'  He  agreed.  Many  questions  were  asked  both 
ways,  among  them  the  one  above — '  What 's  gold  worth  in  New 
York  City?' 

"After  the  rear  guard,  in  which  were  a  number  of  the  73d, 
left  Louisville,  and  before  it  reached  Bardstown,  a  few  of  the  boys 
came  in  one  day  shortly  after  noon,  and  told  of  a  rebel,  at  whose 
place  they  stopped  to  get  water — a  very  scarce  article  at  the 


602  BEEF  AND  POULTRY. 

time — cursing  and  damning  them,  and  hoping  they  '  would  all  get 
killed  down  South,'  etc.  After  inquiring  of  several  of  the  boys, 
I  came  to  the  conclusion  this  rebel  was  a  very  bitter  one,  and  that, 
as  the  boys  had  done  nothing  but  get  water,  we  would  draw  a 
beef — this  rebel  having  several — any  one  of  which  would  fill  the  bill. 

"As  our  rations  of  meat  were  very  slim,  I  went  to  Captain 
Wallace,  commanding,  and  said  to  him  :  '  Cap.,  we  are  almost  out 
of  meat,  and  if  you  will  go  into  camp  soon,  we  can  get  a  beef  of 
an  old  rebel  near  here,  who  is  somewhat  rampant.'  '  All  right,' 
said  Wallace,  '  we  will  go  into  camp  at  the  first  good  place  we 
come  to.  I  have  ration  money  to  buy  what  we  want.'  '  No, 
no,'  I  said ;  '  I  propose  to  draw  a  beef,  and  give  an  order  on  the 
commissary  and  save  the  ration  money.'  '  I  do  n't  know  so  well 
about  that ;  it  may  get  us  into  trouble,'  said  the  captain.  '  No,' 
I  said ;  '  we  can  give  the  order,  and  put  into  it  what  the  old  rebel 
has  said ;  then  the  order  will  never  be  presented.  This  plan 
will  afford  us  a  change  of  diet,  and  effect  a  saving  to  the  Govern- 
ment.' The  captain  agreed  finally. 

"  As  soon  as  we  went  into  camp,  I  detailed  Jason  Lyon  and 
four  or  five  other  comrades  to  go  and  get  the  beef.  I  instructed 
them  to  tell  the  man  to  come  in  the  morning,  and  we  would  settle 
with  him,  but  to  be  sure  and  not  say  we  would  pay  money,  as  we 
did  not  intend  to  do  that.  I  also  suggested  to  each  of  the  other 
companies — all  were  represented  in  the  squad  following  the  army 
up  from  Louisville — to  detail  a  man  or  two  each,  to  go  along  and 
clear  the  whole  farm  of  poultry — '  Preacher  Regiment' — but  take 
nothing  else. 

"  The  beef  was  distributed  that  evening  ;  the  boys  feasted, 
and,  after  a  refreshing  sleep,  enjoyed  a  breakfast  of  beef  and 
chicken.  When  the  old  'Johnny'  Reb.  appeared  in  camp,  he 
said  he  had  come  to  get  his  pay  for  the  beef,  as  the  boys  who  got 
it  said  if  he  would  come  to  camp  in  the  morning,  he  would  get 
his  pay. 

"  '  Those  boys  were  instructed  to  tell  you  to  come  in  this  morn- 
ing and  we  would  settle  with  you,'  remonstrated  Turner ;  then 
adding :  '  We  can  't  pay  you  any  money.  We  will  give  you  an 
order  on  the  commissary  department.' 

"That  will  do,'  said  the  rebel.  'I  suppose  the  department  is 
good.' 

"Captain  Wallace — 'It  is  all  I  can  do;  those  are  my  orders/ 

" '  What  do  you  want  for  your  beef?'  asked  Turner. 


ORDER  NOT  SATISFACTORY.  603 

"Answer — '  Well,  I  think  it  was  worth  twenty  dollars.' 

"  'All  right,  the  captain  will  draw  an  order  for  you  for  twenty 
dollars,'  said  Turner. 

"  '  Hold,'  said  the  reb.,  '  the  boys  cleaned  me  out  of  poultry 
too,  last  night,  and  I  would  like  to  have  that  included  in  the 
order.' 

"Captain  W. — :'I  want  you  to  understand  my  men  are  not 
chicken-thieves.  I  can't  give  you  an  order  for  pay  for  chickens, 
but  if  you  will  pick  out  the  men  who  got  your  chickens,  I  will 
have  them  pay  you;  the  men  all  have  money.' 

"  The  Confederate  made  a  search,  wandered  all  round  through 
camp  for  a  full  half  hour ;  then  returned,  saying  he  could  not 
pick  out  a  man — though  nearly  every  man  was  eating  chicken, 
and  the  ground  was  carpeted  with  feathers.  Our  captain  handed 
him  the  order  as  filled  out. 

"  After  reading  it  over,  the  '  Johnny  '  said :  '  This  is  not  good 
for  anything.  I  can't  get  any  money  on  it.' 

"  '  What's  the  matter  with  it?'  asks  Wallace. 

"  '  It  mentions  in  it  what  I  said  to  the  boys  last  night,'  an- 
swered the  man. 

"  Wallace — 'Then  you  did  say  that  to  the  boys,  did  you?' 

" '  Yes.' 

"  '  Did  the  boys  disturb  you  any  before  you  talked  that  way 
to  them  ?'  asked  Wallace. 

"  '  No.' 

"  Wallace,  continuing — '  Well,  you  will  learn  to  keep  your 
mouth  shut  hereafter,  when  troops  are  passing  through  the 
country.' 

"  (Not  for  publication.)" 

RAIL-MAKING. 

As  our  brigade  came  into  Nashville,  in  the  spring 
of  1865,  some  person  said  our  1st  Division  was  making 
rails  to  replace  those  it  had  burned.  Our  boys — 
among  them  "Jate" — declared  they  would  burn  rails 
if  necessary  or  convenient,  but  would  not  make  any. 
We  camped  on  land  belonging  to  a  widow,  lying  north 
of  Hardin's  land,  a  stone  wall  between  the  two  tracts. 
As  the  land  south  of  us  was  divided  up  into  small 


604  RAII^MAKING? 

fields,  there  were  many  high  rail  stake-and-ridered 
fences.  We  had  orders  not  to  burn  rails,  but  to  pick 
up  pieces  of  wood  and  down  timber,  and  were  told  that 
wood  in  due  time  could  be  issued.  So  the  fences  were 
accordingly  drawn  upon  for  good  first-class  rails,  out  of 
which  to  make  bunks  and  benches.  As  day  after  day 
passed  and  no  wood  issued,  we  kept  on  drawing  and 
burning  bunk  timber  until  the  fences  near  camp  had  dis- 
appeared. 

Late  one  evening  the  usual  quiet  of  the  camp  was 
disturbed  by  word  being  passed  along  the  line  that  a 
detail  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  of  the  brigade  was 
called  for  to  make  rails.  "Did  you  hear  that?"  a  com- 
rade said  to  "Jate."  "Hear  what?"  asked  "Jate." 
"A  detail  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  called  for  to 
make  rails,"  was  the  reply.  The  comrade  added:  "I 
would  not  be  surprised  if  you  were  the  first  man  de- 
tailed." "  Jate  "  remembered  his  declaration,  and  then 
repeated  it — that  he  would  make  no  rails.  Sure  enough, 
Sergeant  Jason  Lyon  was  detailed  as  one  of  the  rail- 
makers.  The  boys  said  they  had  no  axes.  New  axes 
were  promptly  furnished  them,  and  they  started  off, 
and  soon  went  to  work  in  a  body  of  fine  heavy  timber. 

All  forenoon  the  noise  and  clatter  of  axes  could  be 
heard.  At  noon  the  boys  came  in  to  dinner,  and  were 
plied  with  the  question,  "Have  you  made  any  rails?" 
quite  frequently.  "  No."  was  the  answer,  "  But  we  have 
downed  a  lot  of  fine  timber."  The  work  was  resumed 
after  dinner,  but  not  with  vim  and  energy.  Excuses 
were  made;  one  man  said  there  was  a  flaw  in  his  ax, 
it  could  n't  be  relied  on.  Another  man  said  his  ax 
was  dull,  very  dull,  had  never  been  sharpened ;  it  would 
only  cut  bark,  to  do  any'  good;  consequently  he  cut 


"SOLDIER,  WILL  YOU  WORK?"  605 

the  bark  and  peeled  it  off  one  tree  from  the  ground  up 
all  around  as  high  as  he  could  reach;  that  done,  he 
would  go  to  another  tree  and  serve  it  in  like  manner — 
get  the  bark  out  of  the  way  so  some  other  man  might 
chop  if  he  felt  like  it.  Several  of  the  detailed,  from 
some  one  cause  or  another,  did  little  more  than  "girdle" 
(get  the  bark  off)  the  trees.  None  felt  like  chopping; 
had  n't  enlisted  for  that  kind  of  work. 

A  portion  of  the  detail  was  ordered  to  "  log  off," 
but  no  particular  length  prescribed.  Logs  of  various 
lengths  were  cut  off,  varying  from  three  to  nearly 
twenty  feet  in  length.  Another  portion  of  the  detail 
was  ordered  to  split  the  "cuts"  into  rails — "make 
rails."  Excuses  were  again  resorted  to.  One  man  said 
he  could  not  split  the  logs  with  an  ax ;  a  maul  and 
an  iron  wedge  would  be  needed — several  of  them, 
really.  The  men  were  told  to  go  and  try,  and  do  the 
best  they  could.  One  man  got  his  ax  fast,  and  in  un- 
dertaking to  loosen  it  he  put  more  force  into  the 
"  grunt "  than  he  applied  to  the  ax.  Another  man 
came  to  his  assistance,  but  not  feeling  "  first  rate  "  he 
could  n't  plant  his  ax  just  where  it  ought  to  have 
been ;  he  struck  it  right  on  the  top  of  the  other  ax,  doing 
neither  any  good.  This  was  the  way  it  went.  Several 
axes  were  "  demoralized."  Very  few  rails  were  made, 
jf  any.  The  aggrieved  party,  the  proprietor  of  the 
estate  of  the  woods  around  about  our  camp,  concluded 
to  have  the  detail  "called  off;"  but  we  kept  on  burning 
"  bunk  timber." 

While  the  73d  lay  in  camp  at  Louisville,  the  rations 
issued  were  poor  in  quality,  as  well  as  meager  in  quan- 
tity. Some  of  the  boys  eked  out  a  living  by  drawing 
extra  supplies  from  the  adjoining  country  ;  others  bought 


606  IRREGULAR  FORAGING. 

provision  at  the  markets.  After  the  bulk  of  the  regi- 
ment had  started  on  the  Perry ville  trip,  a  number  of 
the  boys  were  left  behind  sick — including,  of  course,  a 
few  from  Company  I. 

The  camp  was  near  the  water-works,  and  about  the 
time  many  of  the  men  began  to  mend,  word  was  given 
out  that  Company  H  had  fresh  pork  to  sell.  Turner, 
of  Company  I,  gave  money  to  two  of  his  comrades,  and 
told  them  to  go  and  buy  pork.  They  soon  returned, 
saying  the  price  was  too  high,  and  they  would  not  pay  the 
price  without  Turner's  consent.  Turner  said  :  "  We  can 
kill  a  hog  as  cheaply  as  they."  The  boys  replied  : 
"But  it  is  contrary  to  orders,  and  the  provost-guards 
are  too  near."  "  Let  me  know,"  continued  Turner, 
"  when  a  hog  comes  near,  and  I  will  shoot  it,  if  you 
will  take  care  of  it."  This  proposal  was  jigreed  to.  Next 
day  Turner  was  duly  notified  that  a  hog  was  approaching 
the  vicinity  of  Company  A's  line.  Turner  immedi- 
ately armed  himself,  and  took  position  in  a  Company  A 
tent,  and  at  the  "  crack "  of  the  gun,  the  hog  dropped 
flatly.  The  boys  "  went "  for  the  hog,  but  none  of 
them  had  a  knife  to  stick  it  with  ;  so  Turner  returned 
to  his  tent,  picked  up  one,  and,  after  sharpening  it,  went 
back  to  the  porker.  Just  as  he  reached  down  to  turn 
the  hog  over  to  stick  it,  it  jumped  up  and  ran  off. 
Lacy  ran  alongside  of  the  hog,  shooting  at  its  head, 
till  he  emptied  his  revolver,  the  hog  squealing  for  "  dear 
life,"  the  men  in  camp  and  other  spectators  generally 
cheering  and  hallooing.  Turner  was  considerably  ex- 
ercised, and  warned  the  men  not  to  make  noise,  to  at- 
tract the  attention  of  the  provost  guards. 

Shortly,  under  Turner's  direction,  the  hog  was  caught 
at  the  end  of  Company  I's  street — the  proper  place — 


RIGHT  OF  PROPERTY.  607 

and  stuck.  Just  as  the  boys  were  beginning  to  skin  the 
hog,  a  woman  living  near  by,  came  and  claimed  the  hog 
as  her  property.  Whereupon  Turner  said  :  "  If  it  is 
your  hog,  you  probably  had  it  marked.  How  was  your 
hog  marked  ?"  queried  Turner.  Instead  of  answering 
directly  and  promptly,  the  woman  walked  all  around 
the  hog,  looked  it  carefully  over,  and  then  said  :  "  My 
hog  had  a  short  tail,  like  that  one." 

Then  there  were  two  hogs  with  short  tails,  this  one, 
and  the  woman's  hog.  The  hog  in  controversy  was  pure 
white  in  color,  not  a  mark  or  a  blemish  on  it,  except  its 
two-inch  stub  tail.  Turner  said  to  the  woman:  "You 
can't  have  this  hog  without  an  order  from  the  captain  in 
that  tent  (Wallace's)  ;  he  commands  this  camp  now." 
The  boys  did  not  want  to  dress  the  hog,  but  Turner 
got  them  to  proceed  by  saying  :  "It  is  not  her  hog;  if 
it  was,  the  most  she  could  do  would  be  to  make  us  pay 
for  it."  Turner  cut  the  tail — what  was  left  of  it — off 
close  up  to  the  body. 

In  a  few  minutes  Captain  Wallace  came  running  up, 
saying:  "Hold  on,  boys."  "What's  the  matter,  Cap- 
tain ?"  asked  Turner.  "  This  woman  claims  you  have 
killed  her  hog,"  answered  Wallace.  "  Well,"  said 
Turner,  "  I  suppose  she  will  have  to  prove  property, 
won't  she,  Captain  ?"  "  Yes,  that  is  right,"  said  the 
captain  ;  and  then  asked  the  woman,  "  How  do  you 
know  this  to  be  your  hog?"  "Because  mine  had  a 
short  tail;  it  had  been  cut  off  just  like  that."  "  Was 
it  a  fresh  cut?"  asked  Wallace.  The  woman  did  not 
answer,  and  Turner  said  to  Wallace  :  "  Captain,  this  is 
an  American  woman,  and  if  you  want  her  to  understand, 
ask  her  in  English,  something  after  this  fashion :  '  Was 
this  hog's  tail  lately  cut  off,  or  has  it  been  done  some 


608  MORE  FORAGING. 

time  ?' "  To  which  amended  inquiry  the  woman  an- 
swered :  "  0  no  ;  its  tail  has  been  cut  off  some  time." 
Turner  then  uncovered  the  hog,  and  Captain  Wallace 
said  :  "  Well,  this,  then,  is  not  your  hog,  as  the  tail  has 
just  been  cut  off." 

The  woman's  jaw  and  arms  dropped,  and  a  more 
crest-fallen  individual  was  not  seen  at  any  time  about 
the  camp  of  the  73d  during  the  war.  If  the  woman 
had  acted  as  though  the  hog  was  really  her  property, 
had  not  hunted  all  over  it  for  marks  that  never  existed, 
the  boys  would  either  have  let  her  have  the  hog,  or 
paid  her  for  it.  What  became  of  the  meat,  Turner  does 
not  say ;  he  only  got  a  small  part  of  it  himself.  He 
would  like  to  hear  from  all  who  ate  thereof. 

A  SUCCESSFUL  FORAGE  TRIP 

BY   TWO   COMPANY   I  BOYS. 

While  chasing  Hood,  after  the  battle  of  Nashville,  we  camped 
one  day  in  the  timber  of  Northern  Alabama.  We  were  short  of 
rations,  and  there  was  a  detail  of  two  men  from  each  company  to 
go  out  from  camp  and  find  something  to  eat.  It  fell  to  my  lot 
and  Wm.  M.  Corzine,  of  my  company  (I,  73d  Illinois)  to  go. 
About  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  we  rigged  up  our  mule  (Old  "Honest 
John"),  that  we  had  to  carry  our  cooking  outfit  on,  and  started 
westward  from  camp.  I  had  a  Spencer  rifle  and  plenty  of  ammu- 
nition, but  my  comrade  took  no  arms. 

The  first  humble  cabin  we  came  to  was  besieged  by  dozens  of 
"  Yanks,"  inside,  outside,  and  underneath.  Those  under  the  house 
were  trying  to  capture  the  last  remaining  goose.  There  being  no 
show  for  us,  we  went  on  to  the  next,  and  found  matters  just  as 
bad.  On  we  went,  determined  to  go  until  we  should  strike  it 
rich.  We  passed  some  half  dozen  log-huts,  but  nothing  was  found. 

At  last  we  spied  a  house  about  a  mile  off",  which  we  were  con- 
fident no  one  had  visited.  So  we  renewed  our  tramp  to  reach  it, 
through  by-ways  and  thickets  which  we  knew  to  be  infested  by 
bushwhackers.  We  reached  the  house  in  safety;  but  by  this  time 
it  was  late,  and  we  were  some  seven  miles  from  camp.  But  we- 


BUTTERMILK  AND  SORGHUM.  609 

were  happy  in  finding  plenty  there  to  supply  our  wants.  There 
was  a  woman  and  two  children  in  the  house.  She  said  her  hus- 
band was  in  the  rebel  army,  and  that  she  had  not  anything  for 
"  you  'uns  Yanks ;"  but  our  orders  were  imperative,  and  we  soon 
found  enough  to  load  up  our  mule. 

I  shot  a  porker  and  a  couple  of  geese,  and  strapped  them  on; 
then  we  helped  ourselves  to  a  hill  of  sweet  potatoes  we  found  in 
the  garden.  In  the  smoke-house  we  found  bacon  and  a  churn  full 
of  fresh  cream.  The  latter  we  put  into  ourselves  and  our  can- 
teens. The  best  "find"  was  a  half-barrel  of  sorghum  molasses. 
Some  of  this  we  wanted,  and  must  have,  but  we  had  nothing  to 
carry  it  in.  Corzine  found  a  large  soap-gourd,  which  he  went  to 
filling,  while  I  searched  the  house  for  anything  that  would  hold 
sorghum.  While  thus  engaged  I  made  another  important  dis- 
covery. Under  the  bed  was  a  two-gallon  tin  bucket,  also  several 
sacks  of  meal.  I  did  not  disturb  the  meal  just  then,  but  I  did 
the  bucket.  I  pulled  it  out  and  found  it  half  full  of  buttermilk. 
I  told  the  woman  I  wanted  the  bucket  to  take  home  a  sample  of 
her  sorghum  in.  I  would  gladly  have  saved  the  milk,  but  could 
not ;  I  was  already  full  of  cream.  She  said  we'uns  should  n't 
have  that  bucket,  and  as  I  started  she  made  a  dive  and  seized  it. 
Then  came  the  tug  of  war.  She  pulled  and  I  pulled,  and  how  the 
buttermilk  flew  all  over  me  and  her  and  the  floor.  But  I  was  the 
stronger,  and  soon  won  the  victory,  and  got  my  bucket  full  of 
molasses. 

By  this  time  we  thought  we  had  more  forage  than  "  Honest  John  " 
could  carry  alone,  and,  seeing  a  fine  young  horse  in  the  barn-yard, 
we  concluded  we  needed  him  to  help.  But  what  should  we  do  for 
a  bridle  ?  We  asked  the  lady  of  the  house  where  we  could  find 
one,  and  she  said:  "  You'uns  haint  a  goin'  ter  take  my  last  hoss. 
He  hain't  never  been  rid,  and  you  all  can 't  take  him."  We  went 
to  the  barn  and  hunted  it  all  over  in  hopes  of  finding  a  bridle  or 
halter.  In  the  loft  was  a  lot  of  corn-leaves  in  bundles.  We 
kicked  over  some  of  these,  but  found  no  bridle,  and  were  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  idea  of  adding  to  our  forage-train.  We 
then  loaded  up  our  mule,  but  while  thus  engaged  I  set  my 
bucket  of  molasses  on  a  stump  near  the  house,  and  when  I  was 
ready  to  get  it,  it  was  gone.  The  woman  had  "stolen"  it,  and 
taken  it  into  the  house.  This  treasonable  act  "riled"  me,  and 
I  stormed  the  fort  in  search  of  the  lost  property,  which  then  be- 
longed to  Uncle  Sam.  She  had  hidden  it  behind  the  bureau, 

39 


610  DIFFICULTIES  ENCOUNTERED. 

and  the  cover  was  gone.  I  did  not  have  time  to  hunt  for  the 
cover,  so  I  took  a  clean  towel  and  tied  over  the  top.  Then  we 
started  for  camp  by  a  different  route  from  that  we  came. 

Such  a  load  as  we  had !  We  knew  that  if  we  could  only 
laud  it  safely  in  camp  we  would  have  a  royal  reception,  and  all 
of  us  could  get  filled  up  for  once.  We  started  down  alauejust 
as  the  sun  was  going  down,  and  with  a  seven-mile  tramp  before 
us.  We  had  gone  only  about  forty  rods  when  whang!  zip! 
came  a  bullet  past  our  heads.  It  did  no  damage,  but  came  al- 
together too  close  to  make  us  feel  comfortable.  We  stopped, 
and  looking  back  could  see  the  smoke  curling  up  from  the  cracks 
in  the  loft  of  that  log-barn.  We  made  up  our  minds  at  once 
that  that  woman's  husband  was  not  in  the  rebel  army,  but  was 
hid  in  that  barn-loft  under  those  leaves.  He  had  not  dared  to 
attack  us  while  at  the  house,  because  his  own  life  would  have 
paid  the  penalty,  there  being  two  of  us  with  a  seven-shooter  at 
command.  He  had  waited  until  he  thought  he  was  safe,  then  fired. 

Our  first  impulse  was  to  go  back  and  clean  him  out,  but  it 
was  so  late  we  concluded  to  hurry  on.  But  our  direction  was 
wrong,  so  we  left  the  road,  and  started  across  fields  and  through 
woods  toward  camp.  .  We  had  not  gone  far  before  we  came  to 
a  stake-and-ridered  rail  fence,  beyond  which  was  heavy  timber. 
We  tore  down  the  fence,  and  my  comrade,  with  many  regrets,  aban- 
doned his  gourd  of  sorghum.  On  into  the  now  almost  impene- 
trable darkness  we  went.  At  times  our  heavily-laden  mule  Avould 
get  wedged  between  two  trees,  and  we  would  back  him  out  and 
try  again. 

We  finally  came  to  a  well-beaten  path,  which  we  could  hardly 
see  for  the  darkness,  and  concluded  to  follow  it,  thinking  it 
would  lead  us  out  somewhere,  and  sure  enough  it  did.  We  had 
followed  it  a  long  ways  through  dense  timber,  when  all  at  once, 
down  in  a  dark  and  dismal  gulley,  we  came  to  the  end  of  it. 
A  band  of  guerrillas  had  just  left.  There  was  their  abandoned 
camp  and  fires  still  burning,  and  their  shelters  made  of  bark  yet 
standing.  We  did  not  stay  there  long.  We  thought  it  best  to 
get  out  of  that  hole  as  quick  as  possible,  or  we  might  lose  our 
load  of  grub.  We  struck  out  again  through  the  dense  forest, 
and  soon  landed  in  a  blackberry-patch.  Neither  of  us  was 
addicted  to  profanity,  or  we  might  have  done  some  tall  "cuss- 
ing," but  we  patiently  'worked  our  way  through  the  brambles 
and  over  fallen  trees. 


A  ROYAL  FEAST.  611 

We  got  out  at  last  into  a  clearing,  and  breathed  easier.  After 
crossing  this  opening  we  came  to  timber  again,  but  just  then  we 
saw  a  flickering  light  off  to  our  right.  We  halted  our  supply- 
train,  and  while  Corzine  guarded  it  I  cautiously  advanced  to  the 
light,  which  I  found  to  be  a  pine-knot  in  a  cabin.  I  shouted, 
and  a  woman  came  to  the  door.  I  told  her  we  were  lost,  and 
asked  her  if  she  knew  where  the  Yankee  army  was  camped. 
She  said  she  had  heard  music  off  "in  that  direction,"  pointing 
east,  and  guessed  it  was  where  the  camp  was.  She  told  me 
there  was  a  road  leading  that  way  not  far  off,  which  we  soon 
found,  to  our  great  relief. 

We  now  made  good  time,  although  pretty  well  used  up,  tired, 
hungry,  and  sore  ;  but  our  spirits  revived,  and  after  a  mile  or 
two  more  we  came  in  sight  of  our  camp-fires.  We  were  halted 
by  the  pickets,  who  informed  us  that  we  had  been  given  up  as 
"  bushwhacked,"  and  that  a  detail  had  been  made  to  hunt  us 
up  in  the  morning.  We  were  delighted  to  get  back  safe,  and 
the  boys  were  overjoyed  at  our  success. 

It  was  long  after  ' '  taps  "  when  we  rolled  into  our  dog-tent 
that  night.  Who  can  describe  a  soldier's  dreams  after  such  a 
trip,  and  in  view  of  what  we  were  to  haVe  to  eat  the  next  day? 
Suffice  it  to  say  that  we  had  a  royal  feast  for  all  of  old  Com- 
pany I. 

L.  F.  GOULD, 
Company  I,  73d  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

EXPERIENCE  OF  EDWARD  PENSTONE  AS  A 
PRISONER. 

COMPANY   H,  SEVENTY-THIRD   ILLINOIS. 

As  we  made  the  charge  at  Chickamauga,  I  was  shot  down,  the 
ball  passing  through  the  left  arm,  and,  striking  me  in  the  side, 
knocking  me  senseless.  When  I  revived,  a  rebel  regiment  was  in 
line  close  by  me,  firing  at  our  boys  as  they  retreated  up  the  slope. 
After  the  firing  ceased,  I,  with  some  more  of  our  men  who 
were  taken  prisoners,  was  marched  about  a  mile  in  the  rear. 
Those  of  us  who  were  wounded  were  sent  to  General  Breckin- 
ridge's  division-hospital,  where  our  wounds  were  dressed  as  our 
turns  came.  Rebels  and  Yankees  were  treated  the  same.  We 
were  there  ten  days,  sleeping  on  the  ground  at  night,  with  no 
covering  but  our  blankets  and  the  trees  above  us.  I  did  not  even 


612  PRISON  EXPERIENCE. 

have  a  blanket ;  but  a  dollar  greenback  soon  procured  me  one. 
There  were  about  fifty  of  our  wounded  there,  though  I  was  the 
only  one  from  the  73d.  Several  of  our  boys  died  there,  and  those 
of  us  who  could  walk  were  sent  to  Ringgold,  Georgia.  There  we 
found  several  hundred  of  our  men,  and  were  all  put  on  the  cars 
and  sent  to  Atlanta,  Georgia. 

As  they  marched  us  from  the  depot  to  the  stockade,  or,  what 
they  called  the  bull-pen,  they  took  care  to  take  us  through  all  the 
principal  streets,  which  were  lined  with  people,  to  get  a  sight  of 
what  they  called  the  "  Blue-bellied  Yankees."  I  guess  we  must 
have  made  a  sorry  appearance  in  our  dirty  and  blood-stained 
clothes,  just  as  we  were  taken  from  the  field  of  battle.  (The  next 
year,  when,. after  the  battles  of  Jonesboro  and  Lovejoy  Station,  we 
marched  into  Atlanta  from  the  south,  with  flags  flying  and  bands 
playing,  there  was  quite  a  change  in  our  reception).  We  were 
kept  at  Atlanta  two  or  three  days,  and  then  sent  on  to  Richmond, 
Virginia.  We  were  told  that  when  we  reached  there  we  would  be 
paroled  and  sent  North,  but  were  badly  disappointed. 

Arriving  early  in  October,  we  who  were  wounded  were  sepa- 
rated from  the  rest,  and  sent  to  the  hospital — a  large  tobacco  ware- 
house near  Libby  prison*— where  we  were  given  cots  to  sleep  on,  and 
I  got  the  first  good  rest  since  the  'battle  of  Chickamauga ;  the 
nurses  say  I  slept  twenty- four  hours.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  I 
got  my  wounds  properly  dressed,  and  cleaned  some  of  the  blood 
and  dirt  off  my  clothes.  Our  rations  there  were  enough  to  keep 
us  alive — a  pint  of  bean  or  pea  soup,  a  small  piece  of  meat,  and  a 
slice  of  bread  twice  a  day.  We  amused  ourselves  by  playing  chess 
and  other  games,  and  were  allowed  to  send  short,  open  letters  to 
our  friends  at  home,  telling  where  we  were,  and  how  badly  we  were 
wounded. 

I  had  been  reported  killed ;  my  mother  and  sisters  had  put  on 
mourning,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Whipple,  of  the  Congregational  Church  at 
Griggsville,  Illinois,  was  to  have  preached  my  funeral  sermon  on 
Sunday ;  but  my  father,  receiving  a  letter  from  me  the  Friday  be- 
fore, stating  that  I  was  alive  and  well,  prevented  it. 

About  ten  o'clock  each  day  an  old  darkey  came  around  with  the 
dead-wagon,  to  take  away  the  boys  who  had  died  during  the 
night.  There  were  generally  three  or  four,  mostly  the  poor  fellows 
who  were  brought  from -Bell's  Island,  on  the  James  River,  and  they 
were  nearly  dead  from  starvation  and  exposure  before  they  came. 

About  the  20th  of  November,  a  number  of  us  were  taken  to 


PAROLED^  AND  EXCHANGED.          613 

another  prison,  a  block  from  Libby,  where  I  found  Wm.  Caramire, 
of  Company  H,  73d.  He  was  the  first  man  of  our  regiment  that 
I  had  seen  since  the  battle,  and  had  been  wounded  in  the  head. 
One  dark,  stormy  night,  while  the  rebel  guard,  who  usually  stood 
on  the  street  in  front  of  our  building  had  stepped  inside  for 
shelter,  Wm.  Cammire  and  a  man  belonging  to  a  New  York 
battery,  escaped  by  making  a  rope  of  their  blankets  and  climbing 
down  from  a  third-story  window  to  the  street.  They  found  a  skiff, 
and  rowing  acress  to  the  south  side  of  the  James  River,  succeeded  in 
reaching  our  lines.  I  should  have  gone  with  them,  but  with  one 
arm  in  a  sling,  could  not  climb  down  the  rope.  I  have  always 
thought  it  strange  that  more  of  our  men  did  not  try  to  escape,  as 
the  rope  hung  there  until  just  before  daylight,  when  some  one 
drew  it  in  and  hid  it.  The  next  day,  when  the  little  rebel  Sergeant 
Ross  counted  us,  and  found  two  missing,  he  was  furious;  but 
though  he  threatened  all  kinds  of  punishment,  no  one  would  tell 
how  they  escaped. 

One  morning,  about  the  15th  of  December,  the  rebel  doctor 
who  dressed  our  wounds,  told  us  that  a  Union  vessel  was  coming 
up  the  James  River  to  City  Point,  with  a  number  of  rebel  pris- 
oners, to  be  exchanged  for  a  number  of  our  men,  and  some  of  the 
men  were  to  be  taken  from  our  prison.  We  were  wild  with  ex- 
citement. Who  would  be  the  lucky  ones  ?  was  the  next  question. 
At  noon  a  rebel  captain  came  and  picked  out  such  as  he  thought 
least  likely  to  be  of  service  for  some  time.  We  signed  our  paroles, 
and  took  the  oath  not  to  fight  again  until  exchanged,  and  that 
night  we  were  taken  to  City  Point.  At  daylight  we  saw  our  steamer 
at  anchor,  and  the  Stars  and  Stripes  floating  in  the  breeze.  It  was 
the  first  time  we  had  seen  our  flag  for  three  months,  and  we  felt 
like  we  were  getting  back  into  "  God's  Country." 

The  transfer  from  one  vessel  to  the  other  was  soon  made,  and 
we  were  taken  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  and  sent  to  the  college  build- 
ings, which  were  then  used  as  hospitals,  where  we  received  the  best 
of  care.  I  was  declared  exchanged  in  March,  1864,  went  to  the 
regiment,  and  staid  with  it  until  we  were  mustered  out  at  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  in  June,  1865. 

In  response  to  an  inquiry  made,  we  have  been  in- 
formed by  letter  from  the  officer  in  charge  of  the 
Record  and  Pension  Division  of  the  War  Department, 
U.  S.  A.,  that  the  following  named  men  were  on  extra 


614  S  UNDR  Y  MA  TTERS. 

daily  duty  as  regimental  pioneers,  during  and  for  some 
time  after  the  battles  of  Nashville :  Richard  Baker, 
Company  A ;  George  W.  Falor,  Company  B ;  Isaac  R. 
Thornton,  Company  C  ;  Samuel  J.  Boen,  Company  C  ; 
Samuel  T.  Rickets,  Company  D  ;  Edwin  Robinson,  Ser- 
geant, Company  E ;  Sampson  McCool,  Company  E ; 
George  Dudney,  Company  F ;  James  0.  Thompson., 
Company  G;  James  Lytle,  Company  H ;  Jason  Lyon, 
Corporal,  Company  I ;  Robinson  Crews,  Company  K ; 
W.  H.  Newlin,  Lieutenant,  Company  C. 

The  same  letter  informs  us  that  the  official  records 
of  the  regiment  do  not  show  who  were  the  first  color- 
guards  and  color-bearer  in  the  year  1862. 

The  names  of  the  comrades  who  served  on  the  first 
detail  of  color-guards  for  the  73d,  are  as  follows,  so  far 
as  has  been  ascertained :  David  F.  Lawler,  Company 
B  ;  William  D.  Coffin,  Company  D  ;  Benjamin  F.  Kirk- 
ley,  Company  E ;  James  J.  Boland,  Company  F  ;  Wm. 
Talbott,  Company  G ;  James  Lytle,  Company  H ;  Ash- 
ford  W.  Clark,  Company  I,  color-bearer. 

After  the  wounding  of  A.  W.  Clark,  D.  F.  Lawler, 
of  Company  B,  carried  the  colors,  or  had  charge  of 
them,  through  the  remainder  of  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville,  and  until  further  orders.  It  is  impossible  to  as- 
certain farther  concerning  color-guards,  but  it  is  safe 
to  say,  that  after  the  first  year,  Company  C  furnished 
the  color-bearers :  Jehu  Lewis  and  Robert  J.  Hasty. 

At  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Dr.  Pond,  surgeon  of  the 
73d,  became  deeply  interested  in  some  of  the  prelimi- 
nary operations.  He  was  desirous  of  ascertaining 
whether  or  not  a  certain  contingency  had  been  pro- 
vided for  ;  whether  a  section  of  artillery  had  been  moved 
from,  or  to,  a  certain,  place,  or  something  of  that  kind. 


HISTORY  OF  A  BIBLE.  615 

Colonel  Opdycke  called  the  doctor  to  an  account,  telling 
him  that  he  was  very  much  out  of  place ;  that  his 
services  would  soon  be  needed  in  another  and  quite  a 
different  locality.  Just  at  that  time  things  assumed  a 
very  threatening  aspect — in  fact,  matters  became  very 
hot  immediately  after  the  doctor  hurried  off  in  accord- 
ance with  Colonel  Opdycke's  suggestion.  That  was  one 
time  when  the  doctor  did  not  stop  long  to  argue  the 
case,  or  to  ask  :  "What's  the  matter?" 

CAPTURED,  RECAPTURED,  AND  SURRENDERED. 

S.  S.  Lytle,  of  Company  F,  llth  Iowa  Infantry,  lost, 
among  other  things,  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  in  April, 
1862,  a  small  pocket  Bible,  which  was  precious  to  him 
in  itself,  but  more  so  on  account  of  associations,  having 
been  presented  to  him  in  the  year  1854  by  his  mother. 
One  Jesse  W.  Wyatt,  of  the  12th  Tennessee  Confed- 
erate Volunteers,  became  proprietor  by  right  of  capture, 
of  this  Bible,  and  retained  possession  and  proprietor- 
ship of  the  same  for  more  than  two  years,  until  the 
seventeenth  day  of  May,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  Adairs- 
ville,  Georgia,  when  Charles  W.  Keeley,  of  the  "  Preacher 
Regiment,"  Company  F,  too,  recaptured  the  Bible,  and 
held  possession  of  it  as  a  sacred  war  relic  until  the 
year  1887,  a  term  of  twent}'-three  years,  when  he,  after 
repeated  solicitations,  sent  the  Bible  to  its  owner,  S.  S. 
Lytle. 

It  was  with  great  reluctance  that  Comrade  Keeley 
parted  with  this  Bible  ;  but  thinking  that  if  anybody 
was  more  or  better  entitled  to  it  than  himself,  it  was 
S.  S.  Lytle,  he  sent  it  to  him.  And  there  is  this 
further  thought  in  connection  with  this  case  :  If  there 
is  anything  a  member  or  survivor  of  the  "Preacher 


616          FAME  OF  THE  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS. 

Regiment "  ought  to  have  "  enough  and  to  spare  "  of,  it 
is  Bibles.  So  the  act  of  Comrade  Keeley  in  surren- 
dering the  Bible  to  the  llth  Iowa  man,  is  one  to  be 
commended  and  approved,  and  it  is  hereby  approved  by 
these  head-quarters. 

There  were  several  instances  in  which  the  bullets  of 
the  enemy  came  in  contact  with  Bibles  on  the  persons  of 
soldiers  of  the  73d.  The  73d  was  a  Bible  Regiment. 

Doctor  Turner,  mayor  of  Fairmount,  Illinois,  or  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  his  address  of  wel- 
come to  the  comrades  of  the  73d,  on  the  occasion  of 
their  third  annual  reunion,  held  in  that  village,  October 
8,  1889,  said  he  had  heard  of  the  73d  on  the  western 
border  of  the  continent. 

Senator  Dolph,  of  Oregon,  in  a  public  address,  inci- 
dentally mentioned  the  regiment  in  a  complimentary  way 
for  its  conduct  in  some  one  of  its  many  engagements- 
Stone  River,  perhaps.  It  has  been  but  a  few  years 
since  Dr.  Turner  heard  the  address  referred  to ;  so  the 
fame  of  the  73d  has  spread  abroad,  and  no  doubt  is 
still  living  and  spreading,  or  will,  as  this  history  gains 
circulation  among  the  people. 

In  this  connection  we  may  mention  the  fact,  that 
Colonel  Schaefer's  dying  utterances  were  partly  in  praise 
and  commendation  of  the  conduct  of  the  73d  at  Stone 
River.  He  had  never  before  eulogized  the  regiment — 
had  abused  it  rather ;  but  under  the  circumstances  he  re- 
deemed the  past,  and  set  himself  aright  before  his  death. 

EXPERIENCE  IN  SOUTHERN  PRISONS. 

Of  those  members  of  the  73d  who  were  prisoners  of  war,  none 
served  or  suffered  a  longer  term  of  imprisonment  than  did  John  L. 
Hesser  and  John  W.  North,  of  Company  A.  The  circumstances 
attending  their  capture  did  not  differ  materially  from  those  at- 


HESSER  AND  NORTH.  617 

tending  the  capture  of  all  others  of  the  73d.  Hesser  and  North 
were  made  prisoners  at  nearly  the  same  time — about  noon,  Sun- 
day, September  20,  1863.  On  the  way  to  the  rear,  North  secured 
the  hat-cord,  Bible,  and  two  or  three  other  articles  belonging  to 
Adjutant  Winget.  These  articles  were  faithfully  kept,  and  in  the 
•course  of  time  were  delivered  to  Winget's  relatives. 

Brown  and  Newlin,  of  Company  C,  joined  Hesser  and  North 
very  soon  after  they  reached  the  point  where  the  prisoners  were 
being  collected.  It  was  not  known  to  these  four  for  some  days 
whether  any  of  their  regimental  comrades,  except  the  wounded, 
were  captured.  Joseph  C.  Squires,  a  young  orderly  of  Rosecrans's 
staff,  fell  in  with  the  group,  more  particularly  with  North.  An 
order  and  a  plan  of  battle  which  Squires  had,  was,  by  North's 
advice,  committed  to  the  flames.  On  meeting  Colonel  Von  Strader, 
after  tarrying  a  day  and  night  with  the  73d  squad,  young  Squires 
placed  himself  under  his  care. 

Sunday  night  the  prisoners  were  corraled  at  a  point  about  half 
way  between  Ringgold  and  Tunnel  Hill.  Several  thousand  rails 
were  burned  at  this  point  by  the  prisoners,  not  as  a  matter  of 
necessity  to  promote  comfort,  but  that  was  the  only  way  in  which 
the  boys  could  prosecute  the  war  under  the  circumstances. 

Shortly  after  eight  o'clock  Monday  morning,  having  had  some 
coffee  (the  last  to  many)  and  crackers,  the  prisoners  and  their 
guards  moved  on  to  Tunnel  Hill,  meeeting  on  the  way  a  Confed- 
erate ammunition  train  and  escort.  A  small  bit  of  bacon  was 
issued  to  each  prisoner  at  Tunnel  Hill,  and  soon  after,  the  train 
of  box  stock-cars  having  been  made  up,  the  prisoners  were  crowded 
into  them,  and  the  journey  to  Richmond  commenced.  Hesser  and 
his  regimental  comrades  managed  to  get  in,  or  on,  the  same  car, 
having  agreed  to  stick  together  through  the  trying  ordeal  of 
prison-life. 

After  a  tedious  trip,  Atlanta  was  reached,  late  on  September 
22d.  A  delay  occurred  here  until  the  morning  of  the  24th,  the 
time  being  passed  by  the  prisoners  inside  the  barracks.  Some  in- 
ferior grade  rations  were  issued,  and  rolls  of  the  prisoners  were 
made  out,  showing  name,  company,  and  regiment  of  each  man. 
The  journey  was  resumed  early  on  the  24th,  with  a  detail  of  guards 
from  the  militia.  Not  knowing  anything  about  real  soldiering, 
these  guards  were  very  "pesky"  and  officious. 

Augusta  was  the  next  stopping  place.  The  prisoners  were 
taken  from  the  cars  again,  and  guarded  during  night  in  the  court- 


618  OJV  TO  RICHMOND. 

house  yard.  Mounting  the  cars  again  on  the  morning  of  the  25th, 
the  trip  was  resumed.  Arrived  at  Columbia,  South  Carolina,  early 
on  the  26th,  and,  after  after  a  short  delay,  proceeded  toward  Ra- 
leigh, arriving  there  Sunday  afternoon,  September  27th.  Passing 
on  through  Charlotte  and  Greensboro,  Weldou  was  reached  late  on 
the  28th. 

The  prisoners  were  taken  off  the  cars  at  Weldon,  and  guarded 
over  night  in  the  open  space  alongside  the  railroad.  Rations 
were  issued  early  on  the  29th,  and  immediately  afterward  the  word 
was:  "All aboard!"  Starting  out  at  once  and  moving  steadily  on, 
Petersburg  was  passed  and  Richmond  reached  the  night  of  the 
29th  of  September. 

It  was  fully  two  hours  from  the  time  of  getting  off  the  cars  before 
the  prisoners  were  turned  into  Libby  prison,  at  ten  P.  M.  Owing 
to  the  arrival  at  an  unseasonable  hour  of  a  large  number  of 
"guests,"  the  space  being  insufficient,  the  prisoners  were  crowded 
together,  and  failed  to  get  any  sleep  or  rest  that  was  beneficial. 
On  the  30th,  however,  after  being  thoroughly  "gone  through," 
and  relieved  of  some  money,  knives,  and  other  traps,  these  prison- 
ers were  moved  to  the  Rosser  building,  remaining  there  until  Oc- 
tober 1st,  then  changed  to  Pemberton  building  for  awhile,  and 
then  to  the  Smith  building. 

While  on  the  street,  marching  along,  Hesser  and  his  three  com- 
rades espied  three  more  comrades  of  the  73d,  who  had  been  so  un- 
fortunate as  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  viz. :  Jesse  D. 
Kilpatrick,  Company  B,  and  Wm.  F.  Ellis  and  John  Thornton,  of 
Company  C,  the  latter  a  nephew  of  Brown.  This  discovery  was 
made  just  in  time  to  get  all  seven  of  the  squad  together  before 
entering  the  prison  building.  At  this  late  date  it  is  impossible  to 
definitely  determine  which  of  the  two  buildings  we  occupied  first 
after  leaving  the  Rosser  house,  the  Pemberton  or  the  Smith 
building.  While  in  the  buildings — all  tobacco-houses — last  named, 
rations  in  light  quantities  were  issued  regularly  twice  a  day,  unless 
some  of  the  cooking  apparatus  got  out  of  fix.  During  this  time 
the  raid  was  made  on  the  sugar  in  the  basement  of  the  prison. 
The  raid  was  soon  discovered,  and  promptly  checked,  by  the  re- 
moval of  the  sugar  to  another  place.  Time  was  spent  in  cojectur- 
ing  what  the  next  day,  or  week,  would  bring  forth,  in  reading,  in 
case  of  having  any  matter  at  hand,  in  playing  checkers,  and  in 
slaying  gray-backs.  Hesser  says  he  thinks  he  played  ten  thousand 


SOME  VERY  TEDIOUS  DAYS.  619 

games  of  checkers,  but  he  must  have  meant  that  he  slew  ten  thou- 
sand    with  the  jaw-bone  of  his  thumb-nails. 

Confinement  in  prison  was  very  exasperating  to  Hesser.  He 
very  frequently  grew  impatient,  and  criticised  the  Government  in 
language  not  very  mild,  considering  that  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Preacher  Regiment,  for  not  bringing  about  an  exchange  of  prisoners. 
North  was  very  considerate  and  patient,  and  exercised  a  whole- 
some influence  over  Hesser,  curbing  and  modifying  hte-  tendency 
for  outbreaking  and  turbulent  denunciation  of  the  way  things 
were  going. 

Time  passed  wearily  ;  there  was  but  little  to  relieve  the  dull- 
ness and  monotony  of  life  within  prison-walls.  The  hours  seemed 
so  long,  even  in  day-time ;  and  at  night,  when  prisoners  were  rest- 
less and  sleepless,  they  seemed  interminably  lengthened  out.  "Post 
number  five  !  Half-past  three  o'clock,  and  all 's  well !"  as  squawked 
out  by  a  guard  in  the  early  morning,  was  a  reminder  to  many  a 
wakeful  prisoner  that  it  was  almost  an  age  till  daylight. 

November  13th  brought  a  change.  The  prisoners  were  moved 
across  the  street,  and  some  distance  farther  east,  and  put  in  the 
Scott  warehouse  to  remain  until  next  day,  on  which  date  they  were 
taken  out  and  marched  to  the  railroad,  loaded  into  hog-cars,  and 
shipped  to  Danville.  They  arrived  at  Danville,  Virginia,  at  noon 
of  Sunday,  November  15th.  On  the  way,  Hesser  and  his  regi- 
mental comrades,  by  hustling,  contrived  to  keep  together,  and  so 
were  quartered  on  the  second  floor  of  prison  No.  2,  a  frame  build- 
ing. Rations  were  issued  once  each  day,  instead  of  twice,  as  at 
Richmond.  This  made  less  trouble  all  around,  and  many  prisoners 
made  one  meal  only  out  of  the  morsel  they  received. 

There  was  a  good  deal  of  talk,  planning,  and  scheming,  with 
reference  to  an  outbreak ;  overpowering  the  guards,  and  attempt- 
ing a  wholesale  flight.  This  was  about  all  it  amounted  to.  It 
seemed  to  facilitate  the  flight  of  time,  and  did  some  good  in 
that  way. 

While  in  this  prison,  Hesser  enumerated  more  varieties  of  pie  than 
he  had  ever  sampled  before  that  time,  or  since.  He  was  certainly 
trying  himself  to  see  how  much  he  could  cause  the  mouths  of  his 
comrades  "to  water."  If  all  the  different  varieties  had  been  noted 
by  name  it  would  have  been  a  pie  dictionary,  or  vocabulary.  One 
thing  is  quite  certain,  Hesser  did  not  sample  any  one,  not  even 
the  commonest,  of  his  many  varieties  of  pie  while  in  prison. 

On  December  15th,  on   account  of  small-pox,  one  member  of 


620  ANDERSONVILLE,  GEORGIA. 

the  mess  had  to  separate  from  the  others  and  go  to  the  hospital. 
As  it  turned  out,  this  member  never  returned  to  the  prison  or 
mess  again,  as  was  expected.  Between  Christmas  and  January 
1st  this  ex-member  wrote  and  sent  to  Hesser  a  note,  informing  him 
that  he  was  getting  well.  Failing  to  get  any  more  notes  or  other 
word,  Hesser  concluded  his  former  messmate  had  suffered  a  re- 
lapse, and  gone  to  join  the  silent  army  of  the  dead,  when,  in  fact, 
he  had  only  gone  to  rejoin  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

Early  in  March,  1864,  the  prisoners  were  removed  from  Dan- 
ville to  Andersonville,  Georgia.  The  season  of  the  year,  the  con- 
dition of  the  prisoners,  and  the  quality  of  the'  transportation  fur- 
nished, combined  to  produce  not  only  discomfort,  but  much  suffering 
among  the  prisoners.  The  train-load,  which  included  Hesser  and 
his  comrades,  reached  Andersonville  about  March  20th.  While 
the  grounds  were  fresh  and  clean,  and  pieces  of  wood  and  brush 
could  be  gathered,  with  which  to  build  fires  for  cooking  purposes 
or  comfort,  and  before  the  stockade  was  crowded  with  prisoners, 
their  condition  was  not  nearly  so  bad  as  it  subsequently  became. 
Some  time  was  required  to  originate  and  put  in  operation  a  sys- 
tem of  slow  but  sure  starvation,  and  deprivation,  also,  in  other 
directions.  The  workings  of  the  system  had  to  be  observed,  so 
that  it  might  be  rendered  more  severe  and  effectual  in  accomplish- 
ing the  purposes  desired.  Weather,  hot  and  dry,  heat  of  the 
southern  sun,  were  powerful  factors,  in  connection  with  scant,  im- 
pure, and  unwholesome  food  and  filthy  water,  in  bringing  about 
such  a  physical  condition  of  the  prisoners  as  would  render  them 
liable  to  all  sorts  of  diseases,  the  most  tolerable  of  which  were 
loathsome  and  debilitating  in  the  extreme. 

The  spring  and  early  summer  passed  without  any  of  the  com- 
rades with  whom  Hesser  was  immediately  associated  having  to  suc- 
cumb to  the  undermining  and  deteriorating  and  disintegrating  pro- 
cesses inseparable  from  the  system  inaugurated  in  the  treatment  of 
the  prisoners.  But  as  the  number  of  prisoners  increased,  as  the 
quantity  and  purity  of  supplies  decreased,  as  the  opportunities  for 
cleanliness  diminished  or  entirely  failed,  and  as  the  summer  ad- 
vanced the  expected  results  began  to  "crop  out"  abundantly. 
John  Thornton'  died  September  16th,  Enoch  P.  Brown  died  Sep- 
tember 20th,  and  William  F.  Ellis  died  September  23d.  The  two 
former  died  at  Andersonville,  while  the  latter  died  in  the  jail-yard 
at  Charleston,  South  Carolina.  At  about  the  dates  above  given,  and 
later,  the  shipment  of  prisoners  back  and  forth  to  Charleston  and 


HESSER  AND  NORTH.  621 

Florence  and  other  points,  and  then  back  to  Andersonville,  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  them  beyond  the  possible  reach  of  succor  by 
the  bodies  of  raiding  cavalry  sent  out  by  Sherman,  commenced. 
Thus  it  is  explained  how  it  came  that  Ellis  died  at  Charleston.  He 
left  Andersonville,  but  did  not  live  to  get  back  there.  Hesser  de- 
scribes the  death  of  Billy  Ellis  to  be  the  most  pitiable  and  sorrowful 
scene  he  ever  witnessed.  After  his  company  comrades,  Thornton 
and  Brown,  died,  Billy  seemed  to  lose  heart  and  all  hope,  and 
gradually  and  surely  yielded  to  the  inevitable,  expressing  in  his  last 
moments  an  intense  desire  to  see  his  mother  and  home  once  more ; 
but  he  yielded  up  his  young  life  with  the  knowledge  that  the  pre- 
cious privilege  he  yearned  for  could  not  be  vouchsafed  to  him. 
There  were  hundreds  of  such  cases. 

The  death  of  the  three  persons  named,  Newlin  having  shaken 
the  dust  of  Dixie — within  Confederate  lines — from  his  feet,  reduced 
the  squad,  or  mess,  to  three — Hesser,  North,  and  Kilpatrick. 
These  three  found  other  associates,  and,  by  dint  of  hard  and  close 
watching  and  sharp  management,  lived  to  get  through  the  fearful 
and  trying  ordeal.  At  Wilmington,  North  Carolina,  however, 
Kilpatrick  died  from  the  effects  of  indiscretion  in  eating.  This- 
was  in  the  latter  part  of  March,  or  early  in  April,  1865,  while  on 
the  way  North  for  exchange. 

The  "saving  clause"  with  Hesser  and  North,  perhaps,  was  in 
being  able  to  borrow  money  of  a  party  who  knew  North's  father, 
and  felt  certain  he  would  get  his  money  back  if  he — the  party — 
lived,  whether  North  lived  or  not.  All  that  was  necessary  was  for 
the  father  to  know,  or  have  some  assurance,  that  his  son  received 
the  money.  Some  sort  of  evidence  of  indebtedness,  due-bill,  or 
note,  was  furnished  by  Hesser  and  North,  and  paid  by  them  after 
the  "cruel  war"  was  over.  With  the  money  thus  provided, 
Hesser  and  his  comrade  bought  food  and  sanitary  supplies,  the 
latter  serving  them  a  good  purpose  in  checking  and  conteracting 
the  ravages  of  scurvy  in  their  systems.  The  money  borrowed  was 
not  all  the  money  they  obtained. 

Sometime  in  the  course  of  the  late  summer  or  early  fall,  some 
unfortunate  prisoner  died,  leaving  a  few  trinkets,  including  an 
old-fashioned  daguerreotype,  in  Hesser's  care,  to  deliver  to  his 
family,  in  case  Hesser  survived.  Through  all  the  changes  and 
vicissitudes  of  Tiis  imprisonment,  Hesser  clung  to  the  trinkets, 
though  he  was  on  the  point,  two  or  three  times,  of  throwing  them 
away,  until,  by  mere  chance  or  accident,  one  day,  the  picture  and 


622  OUT  OF  PRISON. 

inside  frame  or  case  dropped  out  of  the  larger  outside  case,  re- 
vealing, to  the  great  astonishment  and  delight  of  Hesser  and  his 
comrades,  five  or  six  greenback  bills,  twenties  and  tens,  neatly 
folded  and  tucked  in  the  case.  It  almost  scared  Hesser  to  think 
how  often  and  how  nearly  he  came  to  throwing  the  trinkets  aside  as 
an  unnecessary  and  useless  burden.  This  money  was  "put  where  it 
would  do  the  most  good,"  and  helped  out  wonderfully.  We  do 
not  know  whether  Hesser  has  quit  looking  for  the  family  of  the 
man  who  intrusted  him  with  the  trinkets  or  not.  He  may  have 
settled  that  score  years  ago,  however. 

North  became  pretty  generally  and  favorably  known  among 
the  prisoners  on  account  of  his  kind,  conciliatory,  and  cheering 
words  to  his  fellow-prisoners.  We  do  not  mean  to  be  under- 
stood as  intimating  that  Hesser  was  unfavorably  known,  because 
the  contrary  was  true;  but  North,  being  a  very  large  man,  was 
more  conspicuous,  and  being  always  considerate  of  the  weak,  and 
neve'r  failing  to  use  his  best  efforts  to  secure  "fair  play"  for  them, 
was  generally  and  favorably  known. 

ESCAPE  OF  W.  H.  NEWUN  FROM  PRISON, 

FEBRUARY    19,  TO   MARCH   22,   1864. 

In  the  year  1866  we  prepared  an  account,  giving  all  the  de- 
tails of  our  experience  in  getting  out  of  the  scrape  which  had  its 
beginning  at  Chickamauga.  After  condensing  it  somewhat,  we 
published  the  account  in  1870,  and  in  1885  we  incorporated  a  few 
facts  and  particulars,  supplementary  to  the  original  narrative. 
This  narrative  having  been  sold  to  the  number  of  at  least  twelve 
thousand  copies,  we  assume  that  nearly  all  the  readers  of  this 
book  have  some  knowledge  of  the  leading  facts,  as  set  forth  in  the 
narrative ;  and  we  shall  treat  only  on  three  or  four  points  or 
features  of  our  experience  in  coming  up  from  Dixie,  in  this 
sketch. 

It  has  been  asserted  that  it  was  no  very  great  or  difficult 
achievement  to  effect  an  escape  from  a  Southern  prison  during  the 
late  war.  We  think  differently,  and  will  venture  a  few  reasons 
for  our  opinion  on  this  matter.  The  Southern  States,  and  espe- 
cially Virginia,  was  the  field  of  operations  of  both  armies.  This 
resulted  in  producing  a  scarcity  of  food,  and  necessitated  the  build- 
ing up  of  an  extensive  home-guard  system  on  the  part  of  the 
Confederates. 


DIFFICULTIES  ENCOUNTERED.  623 

At  all  the  larger  towns,  and  at  very  many  smaller  ones,  where 
there  were  no  regular  troops,  these  home-guards  were  to  be 
found  in  squads  of  a  dozen  and  more.  These  guards  were  vigi- 
lant and  active  in  picking  up  conscripts  for,  and  deserters,  from  the 
Confederate  service,  spying  out  and  arresting  Union  citizens,  and  in 
recapturing  and  returning  to  captivity  escaping  Federal  prisoners. 

In  1864,  when  nearly  the  entire  population  of  the  rebel  States, 
subject  to  military  duty,  were  either  at  the  front  or  preparing  to 
go  there,  or  were  in  the  militia  or  State  service,  or  doing  duty  as 
home  guards,  it  was  quite  an  easy  thing  for  a  very  small  squad  of 
men  to  attract  notice,  and  be  called  to  an  account.  The  number 
of  Federal  prisoners  that  attempted  an  escape  through  the  Con- 
federate territory,  and  were  recaptured,  some  the  second  and  third 
time,  is  proof  of  the  risk  and  difficulty  attending  an  expedition  of 
this  kind. 

Late  in  the  war,  it  was  incumbent  on  the  Confederate  home- 
guards  to  catch  as  many  prisoners,  deserters,  and  other  persons  "who 
were  hiding,  as  was  possible,  in  order  to  keep  themselves  from  being 
sent  to  the  front,  by  showing  an  apparent  necessity  at  least  for  their 
organization.  Density  of  the  population  North  operated  to  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  Confederate  prisoner  or  squad  in  making  an  escape 
from  Chicago,  Illinois,  Elmira,  New  York,  or  other  points,  where 
held ;  while  the  reverse  as  to  the  population  South,  operated  to  the  dis- 
advantage of  the  escaping  Federal  prisoner  in  the  manner  already 
noted.  A  detachment  of  cavalry  was  kept  at  or  near  Danville, 
Virginia,  the  point  we  escaped  from,  whose  duty  it  was  to  patrol  up 
and  down  on  either  side  of  Dan  River,  in  quest  of  "loose  Yan- 
kees," and  to  intercept  and  recapture  them,  if  found,  and  to  keep 
a  watch  at  the  ferries  and  crossings. 

Our  companions  on  the  trip  through  from  prison  were  L.  B. 
Smith,  4th  Michigan  Cavalry  ;  William  Sutherland,  16th  United 
States  Infantry;  and  John  F.  Wood,  26th  Ohio  Infantry.  Robert 
G.  Taylor,  2d  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  and  W.  C.  Tripp,  15th 
United  States  Infantry,  started  with  us.  The  former  continued 
with  us  one  week,  and  the  latter  two  weeks.  We  supplied  our- 
selves with  food  and  clothing  at  the  small-pox  hospital  immediately 
before  slipping  off  from  the  guards,  the  night  of  February  19, 
1864.  Extremely  cold  weather  for  that  region  prevailed  at  the 
date  mentioned.  This  was  against  us  in  one  sense,  that  of  comfort ; 
but  doubtless  we  were  fully  compensated  by  lack  of  watchfulness 
on  the  part  of  guards,  and  also  lack  of  suspicion  that  prisoners 


624 


START  NORTHWARD. 


would  venture  out  in  such  weather ;  and  the  further  fact  that  we- 
were  apt  to  move  the  more  rapidly  in  order  to  warm  ourselves. 
We  got  away  from  the  hospital  and  guards  in  detachments  of  two 
each,  and  by,  or  before,  midnight  our  party  of  six  comrades  had 
effected  a  junction  at  a  point  previously  agreed  on,  and  were 
making  "good  time"  in  a  south-westerly  direction. 


ENGRAVED  EXPRESSLY  FOR  NEWLIN'S  "  NARRATIVE  OF  PRISON  ESCAPE." 
SIXTEENTH  THOUSAND. 

At  about  two  o'clock  in  the  early  morning  of  February  20th 
we  arrived  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  Seven  Mile  ferry,  on  Dan 
River.  Tripp's  precaution,  and  the  cold  weather  together,  pre- 
vented our  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  "  butternut"  cavalrymen, 
who  were  posted  at  the  ferry.  We  quickly  and  noiselessly  fell  back 


THE  SECOND  MASSACHUSETTS  CAVALRYMAN.      625 

from  our  advanced  position,  and,  on  reaching  a  safe  place,  con- 
sulted briefly,  and  determined  to  push  on  up  the  river,  which  we 
did,  and  by  midnight  of  the  20th  we  were  safely  across  Dan  River 
and  ready  to  start  in  the  direction  of  the  Union  lines.  The  point 
where  we  crossed  the  river  was  at  least  twenty  miles  from  Dan- 
ville and  the  small-pox  hospital.  We  failed  in  our  first  attempt 
to  secure  food,  mainly  on  account  of  a  squad  of  cavalry ;  perhaps 
the  same  one  we  had  encountered  at  the  ferry.  Getting  off  from  that 
place,  as  from  the  ferry,  but  not  without  leaving  plain  traces  be- 
hind us,  we  humped  ourselves  during  the  remainder  of  that  night, 
Sunday,  February  21st.  Monday,  22d,  we  got  a  bountiful  store 
of  provisions,  all  we  could  carry,  paying  the  negroes  sixty  dollars 
therefor  out  of  the  one  hundred  and  eighty  dollars  Confederate 
shin-plasters  we  had  procured  before  setting  out  on  our  trip.  This 
supply  lasted  until  February  27th,  the  day  in  the  early  morning 
of  which  we  left  Taylor  behind. 

At  the  beginning  of  this  sketch  we  have  Taylor's  name  as 
Robert  G.  Taylor,  which  was  the  name  he  gave  us  at  the  time  we 
parted  from  him.  We  have  no  recollec.tion  of  hearing  his  given 
name  mentioned  at  any  previous  time  in  the  short  period  of  our 
association  with  him,  the  beginning  of  which  was  attended  by 
rather  peculiar,  not  to  say  suspicious  circumstances.  The  writer, 
as  ward-master  of  ward  number  one  at  the  hospital,  received  a 
note  from  some  Confederate  authority  at  Danville,  introducing  the 
bearer,  Taylor,  and  requiring  us  to  give  him  work  in  the  ward. 
In  view  of  the  fact  that  there  were  plenty  of  convalescents  in  the 
ward  at  the  time,  both  able  and  willing  to  give  all  the  assistance 
needed,  we  thought  the  circumstance  a  little  strange,  in  connection 
with  the  further  fact  that  Taylor  came  out  to  the  hospital  unat- 
tended by  a  guard.  We  complied  with  the  request,  however,  and 
assigned  Taylor  a  share  of  the  work,  and  thought  but  little  more 
of  the  matter,  supposing  an  explanation  of  the  case  might  be  found 
in  the  fact  that  Taylor  was  an  Englishman,  and  was  not  a  natu- 
ralized citizen  of  the  United  States,  having  been  in  this  country 
but  a  few  weeks,  or  months  at  most,  before  his  enlistment  in  the 
army.  In  the  narrative  referred  to,  we  give  the  details  of  our 
separation  from  Taylor,  the  reasons  assigned  by  him  for  preferring 
to  be  left,  also  the  substance  of  information  bearing  upon  his  case, 
o?  another  very  similar  one,  and  also  the  sad  fate  which  Taylor 
met,  allowing  the  information  was  correct,  and  had  reference  to 
him.  We  left  Taylor,  with  a  well-grounded  suspicion  that  some- 

40 


626  A  POSSIBLE  EXPLANATION. 

thing  was  kept  back ;  that  he  had  other  reasons,  which  he  did  not 
disclose,  for  persisting  in  being  left  alone. 

In  trying  to  verify  his  record  as  a  member  of  the  2d  Massachu- 
setts Cavalry,  we  found  that  there  were  seven  Taylors  in  that  regi- 
ment, and  neither  of  them  named  Robert  G.  Alex.  H. ,  Thomas  J. , 
Thomas,  John,  Samuel,  Archibald,  and  George  were  the  given 
names  of  the  seven  Taylors  respectively  found  on  the  rolls  of  the 
organization  named.  If  the  Taylor  we  left  died  at  or  near  the 
place  where  we  left  him,  as  the  information  received  indicates,  and 
if  he  was  a  member  of  the  2d  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  then  the 
record  of  George  Taylor  would  come  very  nearly  suiting  or  meeting 
the  conditions  in  the  case  of  the  man  we  left,  George  Taylor's  rec- 
ord being  as  follows:  "Age,  twenty-three;  residence,  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  date  of  enlistment,  March  19,  1863 ;  May  10,  1863,  de- 
serted." Will  state  in  this  connection,  that  a  portion  of  the  2d  Mas- 
sachusetts Cavalry — some  four  companies,  perhaps  five — came  from 
California,  and  was  called  and  known  as  the  "  California  Contingent." 

Five  of  the  Taylors  are  accounted  for  in  the  manner  following : 
"Discharged  April  14,  .1865 — disability."  "Mustered  out  July 
20,  1865— expiration  of  service."  "  Mustered  out  July  20,  1865— 
expiration  of  service."  "Discharged  June  7,  1865 — expiration  of 
service."  "  Died  September,  1864,  at  Savannah,  Georgia."  The 
space  opposite  the  name  of  Thomas  Taylor,  wherein  he  should  be 
accounted  for,  is  left  blank  ;  but  as  he  enlisted  June  10,  1864,  he 
could  not  have  been  the  man  we  left  behind  the  night  of  Friday, 
February  26th,  of  that  year. 

Thomas  J.  Taylor  enlisted  April  22,  1864,  so  he  could  not  have 
been  the  man  we  left.  It  is  barely  possible,  even  probable,  that 
the  George  Taylor  mentioned  may  have  been  the  man  we  left. 
The  age  and  the  different  dates  given  in  connection  with  his 
name  do  not  conflict  or  render  it  impossible  or  unlikely  that  he 
should  have  been  the  man ;  and  the  desertion  would  go  far,  very 
far,  in  explanation  of  the  determination  manifested  by  our  man 
to  have  his  own  way  as  to  a  matter  that  most  seriously  concerned 
himself.  We  have  letters  from  James  McDougal,  Salinas  City, 
California;  W.  D.  Belknap,  Youngsville,  Pennsylvania;  T.  L. 
Rodgers,  Blake,  Florida ;  George  H.  Cordwell,  Shirley,  Mas- 
sachusetts; H.  H.  Crocker,  Washington,  New  Jersey;  George 
A.  Manning,  Rathdrum,  Idaho;  Charles  O.  Welch,  Salem,  Mas- 
sachusetts, and  from  two  or  more  other  persons,  in  response  to 
requests  for  information  concerning  Taylor,  but  none  of  them  con- 


PURSUED  BY  THE  ENEMY.  627 

tain  any  information  of  date  later  than  our  own  personal  knowl- 
edge. We  became  informed  as  to  Taylor's  surname  and  the  regi- 
ment he  belonged  to  before  any  motive  could  have  existed  in  his 
mind  to  prompt  him  to  deceive  us. 

Some  six  or  seven  miles  from  the  point  where  we  left  Taylor, 
we  spent  February  27th,  exhausting  our  supply  of  food  late  in  the 
day,  and  the  night  of  that  day  we  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge  Mount- 
ain, passing  through  a  gap,  which,  according  to  information  lately 
obtained,  is  located  near  the  Peaks  of  Otter  River. 

On  Sunday,  February  28th,  we  procured  our  second  supply  of 
food,  having  arranged  for  it  before  daylight.  Near  midnight  we 
passed  through  Big  Lick,  a  station  on  the  East  Tennessee  and  Vir- 
ginia Railroad,  and  before  daybreak  of  the  29th  rain  began  fall- 
ing:, causing  us  much  discomfort,  besides  delaying  us  until  the 
night  of  March  2d.  The  delay  was  partially  compensated  by  an 
opportunity  of  securing  more  food  and  some  information  as  to  roads. 

We  traveled  faithfully  the  night  of  March  2d,  also  the  night  of 
March  3d,  until  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  4th, 
when,  owing  to  our  weariness,  the  roughness  of  the  country,  and 
a  considerable  stream  which  ran  across  our  route,  we  fell  back 
to  a  safe  hiding-place,  as  we  supposed ;  but  learning  early  in  the 
day  that  our  position  was  uncomfortably  near  to  a  sugar-camp, 
which  was  being  operated,  and  not  very  far  from  a  camp  of  train- 
guards,  we  were  compelled  to  change  base,  or  at  least  did  do  so,  and 
by  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  just  after  we  had  crossed  the  stream 
before  mentioned,  we  had  a  lively  race  with  a  detail  of  train- 
guards,  which  continued  for  the  space  of  thirty  minutes. 

In  making  this  extraordinary  race,  W.  C.  Tripp  was  compelled 
to  take  to  cover,  hide  himself  among  the  rocks  on  top  the  mount- 
ain, up  the  rugged  side  of  which  we  scrambled  hurriedly  and  very 
laboriously,  knowing  that  the  rebels  could  not  pursue  us  on  horse- 
back over  that  route.  Tripp  got  separated  from  the  other  four  of 
our  party,  and,  like  Taylor,  was  left  alone.  Almost  immediately 
after  first  hiding,  Tripp  was  either  overlooked  or  ignored  by  the 
pursuing  rebels,  who  kept  right  on  at  their  best  speed,  hoping  and 
expecting  to  gobble  our  entire  party.  Tripp  shifted  from  his  first 
cover  to  another  close  by,  and  watched  and  waited  for  the  return 
of  the  enemy,  with  feelings  of  no  little  anxiety.  The  Confeder- 
ates soon  tired  of  their  chase,  and  started  back  to  camp  in  a  very 
disappointed  mood,  passing  near  the  place  of  Tripp's  concealment, 
and  stopping  and  sitting  down  on  the  rocks  to  rest  at  the  point 


TRIPP  LEFT  ALONE. 

where  Tripp  first  hid.  Well,  they  did  not  catch  us,  neither  did 
they  catch  Tripp,  but,  after  a  little  time,  got  up  and  went  their 
way  wearily  to  camp. 

Tripp  fully  expected  we  would  be  overtaken  and  recaptured, 
and  on  learning  we  were  yet  free,  he  started  out  to  find  us  as  soon 
as  the  rebels  had  departed.  The  shades  of  closing  day  coming  on, 
he  moved  rapidly  for  some  distance  in  the  direction  we  had  gone  ; 
tried  at  first  to  discover  our  trail,  but  could  not.  He  stopped, 
called,  signaled,  and  waited  for  response  from  us,  but  no  response 
did  he  hear,  nor  other  noise  or  sound  save  the  echo  of  his  own  voice, 
broke  the  excessive  stillness  which  prevailed  all  around  him.  Tripp 
had  no  idea  how  far  or  how  rapidly  we  had  traveled ;  nor  did  we, 
as  we  put  our  whole  strength  into  the  flight,  becoming  thoroughly 
warmed,  perspiring  freely,  puffing  and  blowing,  until,  of  necessity 
from  sheer  exhaustion,  we  "slowed  up,"  but  did  not  stop  before 
we  had  nearly  cooled  off,  which  was  best  for  us. 

We  devote  a  small  space  now  to  Tripp.  He  soon  realized  that 
he  was  left,  badly  left.  Amid  the  darkness  and  solitude,  he  ex- 
perienced a  lonesomeness  that  was  intensified  to  such  a  degree  as 
to  baffle  description.  Being  both  hungry  and  crumbless,  as  well  as 
bewildered  and  weary,  made  his  case  worse,  if  possible.  He  moved 
about  considerably  in  the  early  part  of  the  night,  hoping  to  dis- 
cover some  means  of  relief,  hear  some  voice,  or  see  a  light,  if  only 
a  dim  one,  in  the  distance.  At  last,  weary  of  groping  in  the  dark- 
ness, he  halted  for  rest  and  slept  some  before  sunrise  of  March  5tb. 
On  that  date  Tripp  managed  to  place  himself  in  a  position  where 
he  could  be  safe,  and  from  which  he  could  venture  after  night-fall, 
and  soon  reach  a  human  habitation  where  his  most  pressing  wants 
could  be  supplied.  He  followed  up  this  path  of  opportunity,  called 
at  a  house — the  abode  of  Union  people — got  food,  shelter,  and  in- 
formation; but  none  of  the  latter  was  concerning  us.  Tripp  in- 
formed me  by  letter  in  1881,  that  he  never  made  any  inquiries  for 
his  "  flying  comrades,"  supposing,  perhaps,  that  we  being  good  flyers, 
had  "gone  up." 

Falling  into  the  hands  of  friends,  Tripp  recuperated  for  three 
or  four  ctays,  in  the  meantime  obtaining  information  that  a  certain 
person  was  going  to  start  through  to  the  Union  lines  about  the  first 
of  April.  He  visited  this  man,  and  found  the  information  was 
correct,  and  arranged  to  go  through  with  him.  Another  man 
wanted  to  go,  and  still  another,  and  another,  and  Tripp  kept  on 
until  he  had  seen  six  or  seven  or  more  persons  who  wanted  to 


MISSED  OUR   WAY.  629 

make  an  exit  from  Dixie.  Where  so  many  were  concerned,  delay 
was  inevitable,  and  Tripp  finally  "struck"  the  wrong  man,  and 
the  result  was  his  recapture  April  6th.  He  was  subjected  to  several 
examinations  before  civil  magistrates,  but  he  was  not  proven  to  be 
a  spy  as  charged.  In  course  of  time  he  was  sent  to  Richmond  as 
a  "demented  Yankee" — which  he  was  not  by  any  means — kept 
there  until  September,  1864,  was  then  paroled,  sent  to  Annapolis, 
Maryland,  or  some  other  point,  to  be  exchanged  and  discharged, 
his  term  of  service  having  in  the  meantime  expired. 

We  recur  now  to  the  events  in  the  experience  of  our  party  on 
and  after  March  4th.  As  soon  as  we  realized  we  were  winners  in 
the  race,  we  changed  direction  and  went  down  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  stopping  for  a  brief  rest  when  about  half-way  to  the 
valley.  An  hour  later  we  took  supper  at  the  cabin  of  a  Union 
family,  where  we  found  a  deserter  from  Buckner's  Confederate 
force,  hid  under  the  bed.  We  came  upon  the  house  so  suddenly, 
that  this  deserter  had  no  opportunity  to  escape  from  it.  Until 
informed  by  us  to  the  contrary,  these  people  considered  us  a  de- 
tachment of  home-guards  from  New  Castle.  We  were  directed  to 
the  home  of  "  Jeems"  Huffman,  where  we  arrived  at  about  nine 
o'clock  P.  M.,  being  provided  with  another  and  better  supper  near 
midnight.  We  feasted,  with  no  thought  that  Tripp  was  supperless 
and  lonely.  We  imagined  that  he  was  surrounded  and  being  fed 
by  the  enemy. 

Though  receiving  particular  directions  how  to  get  across  Craig's 
Creek  at  a  certain  place,  we  failed  to  find  that  place,  owing  to  rain 
and  darkness,  and  in  wading  that  stream,  our  whole  party  got  a  thor- 
ough and  cold  soaking.  Smith  would  probably  have  drowned  had 
Sutherland  not  been  in  a  position  to  aid  him.  The  discomfort  we 
experienced  in  the  early  morning  hours  of  March  5th  can  scarcely 
be  depicted,  yet  we  have  no  recollection  that  anything  was  said 
about  pensions,  as  we  exerted  ourselves  to  dry  our  clothing  by 
the  warmth  of  our  bodies,  produced  by  the  extra  exertion.  We 
carried  with  us  from  Huffman's  some  shelled  corn  and  Irish  pota- 
toes, the  parching  and  roasting  of  which,  together  with  eating  our 
rations  and  drying  our  clothing,  occupied  the  time  March  5th, 
sleep  being  next  to  impossible  under  the  circumstances.  The  night 
of  the  5th,  we  got  a  cake  of  corn-bread  at  the  house  of  a  Confed- 
erate home-guard,  who  had  seen  service  at  the  front  in  Buckner's 
army  in  East  Tennessee.  As  on  the  previous  night,  we  missed  our 
way,  and  were  compelled  to  retrace  our  steps,  losing  several  hours 
in  consequence. 


630  "EOOUS  YANKEES." 

Sunday,  March  6th,  we  slept  awhile;  but  owing  to  the  bleak 
weather,  the  scant  quantity  and  inferior  quality  of  our  food,  the 
day  seemed  a  long  one.  At  ten  o'clock  P.  M.  we  reached  the 
abode  of  William  Paxton,  the  point  we  had  expected  to  make 
twenty  hours  earlier.  We  got  a  late  supper  at  Paxton's,  and  in- 
structions, the  following  out  of  which  would  take  us  to  the  home 
of  another  good  Union  man,  where  we  arrived  by  about  four 
o'clock  Monday  morning.  We  made  our  presence  known  imme- 
diately, thinking  we  should  receive  advice  and  shelter,  but  were 
disappointed.  It  was  at  this  point  where  "bogus  Yankees  "  began 
to  prove  an  obstacle  in  our  pathway. 

A  woman,  the  wife  of  Robert  Childs,  protested  against  being 
interrupted  at  that  early  hour,  alleging  her  husband  was  not  at 
home.  We  went  on  nearly  a  fourth  of  a  mile,  and  hid  for  the 
day.  We  had  no  thought  of  other  or  further  trouble  than  merely 
that  occasioned  by  Childs's  absence,  and  that  trouble,  we  thought, 
would  be  done  away  by  the  approach  of  midday,  whether  Childs 
returned  or  not.  After  sunrise,  one  of  our  party  visited  Childs's 
house,  and  was  told  by  Mrs.  Childs  that  her  husband  had  not  re- 
turned. An  extended  conversation  was  had  with  Mrs.  Childs, 
during  which  she  plainly  announced  her  disinclination  to  aid  us  or 
any  squads  of  soldiers  roving  about  over  the  country,  no  matter 
which  army  they  claimed  to  belong  to.  Her  talk  was  very  dif- 
ferent from  that  we  had  hoped  and  expected  to  hear,  our  impres- 
sions as  to  the  character  and  sterling  loyalty  and  devotion  to  the 
Union  of  Childs  and  his  wife  being  due  to  the  information  Pax- 
ton  had  given  us  at  the  time  of  sending  us  to  their  house. 

"Bogus  Yankees,"  a  then  very  recent  invention  or  discovery, 
was  the  cause  of  the  trouble.  Childs  had  just  been  apprised  a  day  or 
so  before  we  called,  as  to  the  objects  and  methods  sought  and  prac- 
ticed by  "  bogus  Yankees,"  but  Paxton  was  yet  ignorant  of  this  new 
affliction  and  agency  of  persecution  of  Southern  Union  people. 
Well,  at  the  close  of  the  unsatisfactory  talk  with  Mrs.  Childs,  she 
gave  us  a  dish  heaped  full  of  the  remnants  of  the  family  breakfast, 
and  promised  to  send  her  husband  to  our  hiding-place  as  soon  as  he 
came  home.  Our  squad  thoroughly  relished  aud  as  thoroughly  de- 
voured the  food  Mrs.  Childs  furnished,  caring  little  for  the  time  as  to 
whether  she  was  Union  or  rebel  in  her  sympathies  and  affiliations. 
Luckily,  by  mere  accident,  we  convinced  Childs,  on  his  second 
visit  to  us  in  our  retreat,  that  we  were  not  "bogus  Yankees,"  as 
himself  and  wife  had  reason  to  suspect,  but  were  the  real 


WE  FOUND  FRIENDS.  631 

"true  blue,"  genuine  Yankees,  some  of  whom  he  had  befriended 
a  few  weeks  before  the  date  of  our  visit  to  him.  We  happened 
to  mention  the  names  of  two  men  who  had  received  "aid 
and  comfort"  from  Childs  while  on  their  way  escaping  prison, 
and  described  each  of  them  minutely,  whereupon  Childs  "owned 
up,"  and  gave  at  length  an  explanation  for  his  conduct,  telling  us 
about  the  deception  and  carrying  off  in  irons  to  captivity  of  cer- 
tain Union  men,  neighbors  of  his,  by  false  or  pretended  Yankee 
prisoners,  called  by  the  Union  people  "  bogus  Yankees."  As  soon 
as  Childs  found  we  were  all  right,  he  was  the  same ;  and  we  found 
that  Paxton's  information  was  correct ;  also  that  Mrs.  Childs's  act 
in  giving  us  a  breakfast  was  the  index  of  her  character  rather 
than  the  words  or  sentiments  she  seemed  to  express. 

Childs  determined  to  warn  Paxton  next  day  of  the  danger  of 
playing  into  "false  hands."  It  was  exceedingly  provoking  to  be 
placed  in  a  position  which  made  it  impossible  to  get  assistance  from 
our  friends ;  at  the  same  time  being  suspected  as  being  not  only 
rebels,  but  deceivers  and  impostors,  by  passing — up  to  a  certain  stage 
in  the  game — ourselves  off  for  what  we  were  not.  We  have  always 
thought  Robert  Childs  was  secreted,  either  in  the  house  or  about 
the  premises,  during  the  whole  of  our  two  interviews  with  his 
wife.  Circumstances  undoubtedly  compelled  her  to  resort  to  the 
practice  of  deception  to  protect  her  husband,  as  she  fully  believed 
we  were  playing  that  sort  of  game,  with  the  intention  of  making 
him  the  victim. 

On  parting  from  Childs,  we  were  directed  to  the  home  of  David 
Hepler,  eight  miles  distant,  with  the  assurance  that  our  description 
of  the  two  men  who  had  gone  before  us,  getting  away,  whom 
Hepler  had  also  aided,  would  be  certain  to  insure  us  a  welcome 
and  such  assistance  as  might  be  necessary  at  his  hands.  This 
turned  out  as  expected.  We  remained  during  the  night  of  March 
7th  under  Hepler's  roof,  and  immediately  after  breakfast,  on  the 
8th,  Hepler  went  with  us  to  the  highest  point  in  the  mountain 
west  of  his  house,  from  which  the  house  of  William  Lewis  could 
be  dimly  seen.  Being  in  the  very  roughest  region  in  Virginia,  in 
Alleghany  County,  as  well  as  Alleghany  Mountains,  we  were  to 
go  across  the  two  valleys  and  ridge  of  mountain  between  them  to 
Lewis's  house  in  daylight,  it  being  next  to  impossible  for  strangers 
to  go  over  the  rout  by  night.  We  parted  from  Hepler,  and  found 
trouble  enough  in  finding  our  way  in  day-time.  On  going  up  the 
rugged  side  of  the  mountain  on  which  Lewis's  house  was  located  we 


632  DIS  TR  US  TED  B  Y  FRIENDS. 

met  two  men,  one  woman  and  child  coming  down  the  winding  path. 
Neither  party  accorded  the  other  any  recognition  beyond  keeping  out 
of  the  way  one  of  the  other.  We  suspected  they  were  rebels,  and 
they  suspected  we  were  rebels,  as  was  ascertained  later,  but  both 
were  mistaken.  The  two  men  and  another  we  met  that  night  at 
Lewis's  house,  and  had  quite  an  extended  interview  with  them, 
but  were  unable  to  come  to  an  understanding.  Owing  to  the 
muddle,  the  exceedingly  rough  nature  of  the  country,  and  the 
change  of  weather  (rain  beginning  and  continuing  to  fall  for  a 
day  or  two,  then  changing  to  snow),  and  being  destitute  of  rations 
and  information,  we  made  our  way  back  to  Hepler's,  arriving  there 
at  noon  of  March  9th,  as  wet  as  "drowned  rats." 

Hepler  was  much  alarmed  by  our  reappearance,  and  concluded 
we  were  "bogus,"  and  had  only  returned  to  "gobble"  him.  We 
finally  succeeded  in  reassuring  Hepler,  telling  him  if  we  were 
"bogus"  he  had  already  showed  his  hand,  and  matters  would  be 
no  worse  for  him,  let  him  do  as  much  as  he  might  for  us,  suppos- 
ing we  were  genuine.  We  remained  with  Hepler,  hid  out  on  the 
mountain-side  on  his  premises  until  the  morning  of  March  13th. 
In  the  meantime  Hepler  saw  his  son,  who  was  one  of  the  men  we 
had  met  at  Lewis's,  and  was  a  brother-in-law  to  Lewis,  and  found 
that  the  latter  had  been  taken  in  by  the  "  bogus  Yankees."  Be- 
coming again  fully  convinced  that  we  were  all  right,  Hepler  tried 
to  get  a  good  Union  man  named  Huddleson  to  guide  us  through  a 
part  of  the  way  to  the  Union  lines.  But  Huddleson  was  unneces- 
sarily cautious ;  said  he  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  us,  and  that 
we  would  yet  prove  to  be  "  bogus." 

Patching  up  a  little  during  this  delay,  and  provided  with  some 
parched  corn,  we  took  leave  of  Hepler  the  second  time  on  March 
13th.  We  went  in  day-time,  as  in  the  first  case,  to  Lewis's  house, 
remained  near  it  over  night,  and  before  finally  leaving  it  we  took 
all  we  could  find  there  in  the  provision  line,  and  something  more. 
March  14th  to  16th  we  passed  through  a  very  rough  country, 
reaching  the  Greenbrier  River  on  the  latter  date.  We  rested 
one1  night,  on  finding  we  could  safely  do  so,  in  a  barn  on  the 
premises  of  a  Union  family  named  Mann.  Five  or  six  miles  west- 
ward of  the  river  we  procured  a  guide  by  the  name  of  Alderman, 
who  conducted  us  twenty  miles  in  day-time  along  obscure  paths 
and  by-paths,  on  March  18th. 

On  leaving  us  in  the  midst  of  a  wilderness  of  woods  on  the 
crest  of  a  high  ridge,  the  top  and  sides  of  which  were  marked  by 


ARRIVE  WITHIN  UNION  LINES.  633 

deep  and  narrow  paths  made  by  deer,  Alderman  gave  us  mi- 
nute and  somewhat  extended  directions  as  to  how  to  find  Neff,  his 
brother-in-law,  who  lived  north  of  the  Gauley  River.  We  were  to 
follow  these  directions  up  to  a  given  point  in  day-time,  March  19th, 
resting  the  night  of  the  18th  at  the  place  where  Alderman  left  us, 
heeding  his  admonition  to  keep  the  fire  burning  all  night  which  he 
started  for  us,  so  the  "  boogers  would  n't  git "  us. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  we  were  put  across  the  Gau- 
ley River  by  Mr.  Neff,  and.  after  being  provided  with  breakfast  at 
his  house,  we  were  secreted  for  the  day  not  far  from  the  sugar- 
camp  where  Neff  was  at  work.  Dinner  and  supper  were  furnished 
us,  and  after  sunset,  having  received  instructions  from  Neff,  we 
started  out  on  the  road  leading  down  the  Gauley  River  to  Gauley 
bridge,  about  forty-nine  miles  distant.  Our  instructions  contem- 
plated our  hiding  away  safely  during  the  day,  March  21st,  but 
early  on  the  morning  of  that  date  we  unexpectedly  ran  on  to  an 
aged,  loyal  Irishman,  from  whom  we  derived  information,  which, 
after  due  consideration,  determined  a  different  course  for  us  to  pur- 
sue. We  traveled  steadily  all  day  March  21st,  arriving  at  the 
Union  lines  just  before  dark  of  that  date. 

This  was  the  end  of  a  long  period  of  suspense,  anxiety,  and  ex- 
citement. For  more  than  four-  weeks  we  had  to  keep  a  sharp  look- 
out behind,  before,  and  on  either  hand.  March  22d  was  the  first 
day  for  many  days  that  we  felt  absolutely  and  perfectly  safe  and 
free  to  relax  our  watchfulness  and  solicitude.  The  reader  may  pos- 
sibly be  able  to  faintly  imagine  the  extent  of  our  joy  and  thank- 
fulness for  our  deliverance  from  the  privations  and  sufferings  inci- 
dent to  prison  life  and  fare  in  the  Southern  Confederacy ;  we  know 
we  can  not  describe  it.  As  the  years  pass,  the  recollection  of  those 
adverse  and  perilous  days  grows  not  dim,  but  our  fortunate  escape 
from  prison,  missing  Andersonville,  and  "ills  that  we  knew  not 
of,"  is  to  us  an  exultant  memory,  and  becoming  more  and  more  so. 

Of  the  four  who  completed  the  trip,  one  comrade,  John  F. 
Wood,  Company  G,  26th  Ohio  Infantry,  was  wounded  early  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  and  died  June  20,  1864.  L.  B.  Smith,  Com- 
pany F,  4th  Michigan  Cavalry,  resides  at  Dundee,  Monroe  County, 
Michigan.  William  Sutherland,  Company  H,  16th  United  States 
Infantry,  resides  near  Eagle,  Clinton  County,  Michigan.  The 
writer,  W.  H.  Newlin,  Company  C,  73d  Illinois  Infantry,  resides 
at  Springfield,  Illinois.  W.  C.  Tripp,  Company  E,  15th  United 
States  Infantry,  resided,  at  latest  account,  near  Hilliard,  Franklin 


634  ORIGIN  OF  THE  TEEM  "BUMMER." 

County,  Ohio,  but  he  was  with  us  two  weeks  only.  Of  Taylor, 
who  claimed  to  be  a  member  of  the  2d  Massachusetts  Cavalry,  we 
have  no  tidings. 

"BUM"  RODGERS. 

Along  about  1855,  a  boy  was  picked  up  on  the  streets  of  New 
York  City  by  the  ladies  engaged  in  the  commendable  and  charitable 
work,  at  "  Five  Points,"  of  gathering  together  such  waifs  as  had 
no  home  or  friends.  These  they  placed  in  their  charitable  home  or 
school,  known  as  the  Five  Points  School.  This  boy  was  retained 
there  until  a  home  was  found  for  him  with  a  farmer  in  Tazewell 
County,  Illinois. 

At  the  organization  of  Company  B,  73d  Illinois,  he  was  enlisted 
as  drummer  in  the  company,  as  William  D.  Rodgers.  He  was  about 
fifteen  or  sixteen  years  old,  and  a  very  bright,  active  boy,  who 
made  friends  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  apparently 
came  of  Irish  parents,  and  was  possessed  in  an  unusual  degree  of 
that  quick  wit  for  which  that  people  are  famous.  He  soon  be- 
came a  great  favorite  in  his  company,  for  he  was  one  of  the  most 
liberal-hearted  and  congenial  members  of  the  company.  He  always 
spoke  of  himself  as  "Poor  Bum,"  and  soon  came  to  be  known  as 
"  Bum  Rodgers." 

He  often  sang  an  Irish  song,  of  which,  "Bummers,  beware! 
and  snoozers,  take  care !"  was  the  closing  line  of  each  verse.  In 
answer  to  the  question  of  the  writer  of  this  as  to  where  he  learned 
the  song,  he  explained  that,  when  a  "bummer"  in  New  York, 
they  had  among  themselves  as  street-gamins  a  sort  of  organization 
for  mutual  protection  against  the  raids  that  were  made  upon 
them  by  the  police  and  others  who  were  wont  to  annoy  them,  and 
t.  often  disturb  and  break  their  rest  at  night  in  their  usual  haunts  in 
empty  boxes,  barrels,  hogsheads,  etc.  One  of  their  number  was 
always  placed  on  guard  to  give  the  alarm  at  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  and  this  song  was  used  as  a  signal.  The  last  words  of  each 
verse,  "Bummers,  beware!  and  snoozers,  take  care!"  would  be 
followed  by  a  general  stampede. 

From  his  frequent  use  of  these  words,  he  very  soon  came  to 
be  known  in  the  regiment  as  "  Company  B's  bummer,"  and  ere- 
long this  name  had  attached  itself  to  the  other  musicians  of  the 
company,  then  spread  to  musicians  of  the  other  companies  of  the 
left  wing,  and  very  soon  to  all  musicians  of  the  regiment.  By  de- 
grees it  became  customary  to  apply  it  to  company  cooks,  hostlers, 


AT  HIS  OLD  TRADE.  635 

teamsters,  hospital  nurses,  and  orderlies  about  head-quarters,  and 
by  the  spring  of  1864  it  had  become  a  common  name  for  all  per- 
sons who  did  not  actually  carry  arms  and  do  duty  in  the  ranks. 
This  was  true,  not  only  in  the  73d,  but  in  other  regiments  of  the 
brigade  and  division. 

From  that  time  on,  old  comrades  who  were  on  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign will  remember  how  common  the  name  became,  and  how  it  was 
applied  to  every  man  who  was  away  from  his  command,  no  matter 
for  how  short  a  time.  The  pioneers  were  "  bummers ;"  the  man  who 
fell  out  of  ranks  on  a  march  was  a  "  bummer ;"  the  foragers,  above 
all  others,  were  "bummers;"  and  Bum  Rodgers  was  admitted  by  all 
who  knew  him  to  be  the  "King  Bee"  in  the  swarm  of  bumming 
foragers.  So  when  the  army  left  Atlanta  on  its  famous  "  march 
to  the  sea,"  and  the  entire  marching  column  became  foragers,  it 
was  but  natural  that  they  should  all  become  "  bummers,"  and 
with  the  training  they  had  received  by  Bum  Rodgers  and  his  as- 
sociates, were  very  successful ;  and  no  history  of  the  great  Rebellion 
is  complete  in  which  "  Sherman's  bummers"  do  not  have  a  very 
prominent  place. 

I  am  told  he  is  still  at  his  old  business  of  foraging  and  "  bum- 
ming" in  the  wilds  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  His  exploits  as  a 
"bummer"  in  the  army  would  make  a  very  interesting  as  well  as 
a  very  large  volume.  He  could  pass  the  most  vigilant  guard  ever 
placed  around  a  camp,  could  beat  the  most  expert  provost-marshal 
that  ever  signed  or  approved  a  pass.  When  captured  at  Chicka- 
matiga  with  Will  Jaquess,  who  was  an  enlisted  musician,  he  went 
boldly  to  the  rebel  officer  in  charge  of  the  guard,  represented 
that  Will  was  a  civilian,  son  of  the  colonel,  who  was  only  on  a 
visit  to  his  father,  and  therefore  not  liable  to  be  held  as  a  prisoner 
of  war ;  and  his  statement  seemed  so  honest,  and  his  demand  so 
forcibly  put,  that  the  officer  passed  Will  through  the  lines  without 
further  evidence.  "Bum"  was  sent  to  prison  in  Richmond,  where 
he  feigned  rheumatism,  and  played  his  part  so  well  that  he  was 
soon  exchanged  and  returned  to  his  company. 

He  was  never  caught  but  once  in  his  foraging  expeditions. 
General  McCook  and  staff  rode  upon  him  while  appropriating  the 
contents  of  a  very  heavy  bee-gum.  He  had  conquered  the  bees 
when  he  was  caught,  and,  without  ceremony,  he  was  taken  in 
charge  by  a  staff  officer.  He  asked  to  be  allowed  to  speak  to  the 
general,  to  whom  he  represented  his  case  in  such  a  favorable  light 
that  he  was  at  once  released,  and  soon  marched  into  camp  with  the 


636  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

full  contents  of  the  bee-gum.  He  was  an  expert  "chuck-luck" 
player,  by  which  he  accumulated  several  hundred  dollars.  This 
the  writer  sent  to  his  friends  in  Illinois  for  him,  and  there  it 
awaited  him  upon  his  return  from  the  army. 

He  was,  without  doubt,  the  original  "bummer"  of  Sherman's 
army,  justly  entitled  to  the  honor  of  having  originated  the  name 
in  the  army,  and  if  half  the  reports  are  true,  should  Bum  Rodgers 
meet  with  any  of  the  readers  of  this,  they -might  well  say:  "  Bum- 
mers, beware !  and  snoozers,  take  care  !" 

Bum  Rodgers  was  a  good  soldier,  and  did  faithfully  and  well  all 
duty  assigned  him,  and  was  withal  a  warm-hearted ,  generous  comrade. 
He  was  always  the  leader  of  his  mess — whether  for  good  or  evil — 
a  polished  gentleman  in  genteel  society,  and  a  "  hail-fellow"  at  all 
times.  G.  W.  PATTEN. 

ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

At  this  place  it  was  intended  to  show  the  roll  of 
honor  of  the  73d.  It  would  have  embraced  one  hun- 
dred or  more  names  of  comrades  who  were  killed  in 
battle,  or  died  of  wounds.  (See  Roster.)  The  roll 
of  honor  and  much  other  carefully  prepared  and  re- 
vised matter  intended  for  this  history  was,  at  the  last 
moment,  rejected.  The  pages  in  this  book  number  fully 
two  hundred  more  than  were  first  allotted  to  it. 

The  revised  reports  of  the  adjutant-general  of  Illi- 
nois fail  to  show  the  full  number  of  men  of  the  73d 
who  were  wounded  in  the  course  of  three  years' 
service.  We  are  able  to  present  the  following  names 
of  wounded  of  the  regiment : 

Field  and  Staff. — William  A.  Presson,  James  I. 
Davidson,  Thomas  Motherspaw,  Henry  A.  Castle. 

Company  A. — Emanuel  Cross,  John  W.  Griffiths, 
George  Hudson,  Pierson  H.  Kiser,  Jacob  Ruffle,  Thomas 
C.. Perry,  James  Kelley,  Richard  Baker,  Edward  Can- 
trill,  John  S.  Kiser,  John  Tally,  Joseph  Williams. 

Company    B. — Richard     B.    Scott,    Daniel    Boyden 


CASUALTIES  OF  BATTLES.  637 

(twice),  Reuben  Dodd,  Jacob  Hildebrand,  James 
Holmes,  Joel  Isenberg,  William  H.  McNichols,  Joshua 
Bailey,  David  W.  Alexander,  John  A.  Brown,  Thomas 

C.  Hatch,  Andrew   J.  Reid,  Marshall   Brown,  George 
W.  Patten. 

Company  C. — Alfred  E.  Lewis,  Samuel  Hewitt,  Will- 
iam R.  Lawrence,  William  H.  Newlin,  Carey  A.  Savage 
(accidentally),  Joseph  A.  Allison,  John  Braselton,  John 
R.  Burke  (arm  amputated),  Samuel  J.  Boen,  William 

D.  Bales,  Josiah    Cooper    (leg   amputated),  David  W. 
Doop,  John  Doop,  Henderson   Goodwin    (left  arm  am- 
putated   October   19,  1886),  Henry  C.  Henderson,  Na- 
thaniel Henderson,  Austin  Henderson,  Abraham  Jones 
(slightly),  Jehu  Lewis,  John  S.  Long,  William  Martin,. 
Alex.  C.  Nicholson,  Stephen   Newlin,  Joseph    Reagan, 
Francis  M.  Stephens,  John  J.  Halsted,  John  Bostwick,. 
James  E.  Moore  (foot  amputated). 

Company  D. — Jonas  Jones,  Thomas  S.  Jones,  Samuel 
B.  Garver,  Allen  Wiley,  John  Barnes,  Jas.  M.  Branch,. 
Thomas  Creviston,  William  D.  Coffin  (twice),  Francis 
M.  List,  Henry  Watrous,  Jesse  Zorger,  Richard  S. 
Hopkins  (twice),  Hiram  S.  Watson,  Thomas  S.  Rush, 
t Martin  V.  Deter,  William  J.  Long,  James  Abnett^ 
Hiram  S.  Watson,  Nathaniel  L.  Furguson,  James  W. 
Hold,  John  F.  Brown,  John  M.  Albert. 

Company  E. — Joseph  M.  Dougherty,  Mahlon  Al- 
dridge,  John  L.  Moore,  William  H.  Neville,  William 
McCoy,  William  Hickman,  William  H.  Busby,  Robert 
Connor  (accidentally),  F.  M.  Dougherty  (accidentally )> 
Aaron  Dalbey,  John  C.  Gorrell,  Charles  Harvey,  Pat- 
rick Martin,  John  Murdock,  George  Pierce,  Hilkiah  F. 
Meharry. 

Company  F. — James  A.  Coil,  Wesley   Long,  James 


638  NAMES  OF  WOUNDED. 

J.  Behind,  Henry  McBride,  Isaac  C.  Coil,  Nelson  G. 
Davis,  George  H.  McKinnie,  Noah  Baxter,  William  W. 
Martenia,  Benjamin  Pounds,  William  Shrader,  William 
B.  C.  Fipton,  Noah  T.  Barrick,  Morgan  Level. 

Company  G. — John  H.  McGrath,  Ezekiel  J.  Inger- 
soll,  William  T.  Talbott,  James  W.  Davis,  William  H. 
Dimmick,  James  Hagle,  Jasper  Hooker,  Stuart  F.  Hos- 
kinson,  William  H.  Crooks,  William  H.  Brown,  Orland 
Meacham,  Patrick  McMahon,  William  T.  Purnell, 
Thomas  Horton,  James  F.  Tolle. 

Company  H. — John  W.  Sherrick,  William  Cammire, 
John  J.  Goullee,  Thomas  Wade,  Elijah  Bazin,  Michael 
Culler,  Smith  Culler,  Marion  Fuller,  Nathaniel  Lynd, 
Isaac  Lytle,  James  Lytle,  Charles  McLane,  James  Mc- 
Knight,  Giles  H.  Penstone,  William  H.  H.  Swin,  Ed- 
ward Penstone  (twice),  Isaac  McCune,  George  John- 
son, James  Greenough,  James  Hedges,  David  Turni- 
cliff,  Jesse  B.  Newport,  Smith  Rist,  George  Culler, 
James  Lancaster. 

Company  I. — Elisha  T.  McComas,William  B.  Crooker, 
David  Cook,  Daniel  G.  Foster,  Green  W.  Ausbrey,  An- 
drew J.  Parrish,  Alex.  M.  Cassity,  James  0.  Weir, 
Ashford  W.  Clark,  John  S.  Drennan,  William  H.  Dodd^ 
Ferd.  M.  Duncan,  James  W.  Denny,  William  F.  Inglish, 
William  E.  Joy,  John  W.  Joy,  George  F.  Sandgrebe, 
James  Mills,  Eleven  C.  Thorp,  Benj.  Schaffner,  Chaun- 
cey  H.  Castle,  William  G.  Miller,  William  Fortner, 
Wiley  Fortner. 

Company  K. — James  A.  Rice,  Franklin  Glidewell, 
Joseph  A.  Weir,  Martin  Moody,  Harlin  P.  Tuthill, 
Jacob  Millhouse,  John  Beam,  Benajah  Morgan,  James 
M.  Murray,  Enoch  Martin,  William  C.  Turk,  George 
Kolb,  Noah  Farner. 


PRISONERS  OF  WAR.  639 

Some  of  these  men  died  so  soon  after  being  wounded 
that  they  may  be  found  classed  among  the  "killed," 
or  "  died  of  wounds."  This  list  is  nearly  complete  as 
to  Companies  C  and  E,  but  incomplete  as  to  all  other 
companies,  owing  to  lack  of  information. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  names  of  all  members  of 
the  73d,  as  far  as  ascertained,  who  were,  for  a  longer 
or  shorter  time,  in  the  hands  of  the  Confederates,  viz. : 

Company  A. — John  L.  Hesser,  Thomas  C.  Perry,* 
Erastus  Jackson,*  John  W.  North, 

Company  B. — John  Brady,*  Jesse  D.  Kilpatrick,* 
Wm.  D.  McNichols,  John  A.  Brown,*  George  R.  Kib- 
bey,  J.  B.  Baylor,  T.  J.  Frazee,  W.  D.  Rogers. 

Company  C. — Joseph  A.  Allison,*  Enoch  P.  Brown,* 
John  R.  Burke,  William  F.  Ellis,*  Austin  Henderson, 
William  R.  Lawrence,  Jehu  Lewis,  William  H.  Newlin, 
Daniel  Suycott,  John  Thornton.* 

Company  D. — John  Weddle,*  Samuel  B.  Garver. 

Company  E. — Not  represented. 

Company  F. — Charles  W.  Keeley. 

Company  G. — Riley  M.  Hoskinson,  Stuart  F.  Hos- 
kinson,  Thomas  Horton,  Joseph  M.  Derrickson.* 

Company  H. — James  Dolby,*  Edward  A.  Robbins, 
Mark  Dickerson,  William  Cammire,  Edward  Penstone, 
Absalom  Lawless.* 

Company  I. — Gilbert  0.  Colburn,*  John  W.  Fisher, 
James  M.  Joy,  Andrew  J.  Parrish,  Robert  R.  Roberts. 

Company  K. — James  A.  Rice,  Joseph  Jarvis,*  Frank- 
lin Glidewell,*  Jacob  Millhouse,  Benajah  Morgan. 

We  give  below  a  list  of  names  of  all  comrades  of 
the  73d  who  have  been  reported  to  us  as  having  died 


*  Died  in  prison,  16. 


640  DIED  SINCE  THE  WAR. 

since  their  discharge  from  or  muster  out  of  service. 
It  is  incomplete,  but  the  best  we  can  make,  owing  to 
lack  of  information  : 

Field  and  Staff. — James  I.  Davidson,  Joseph  M. 
M.  Garrett,  Henry  0.  McPherson,  John  S.  Barger, 
Sylvester  Dustin. 

Company  A. — John  W.  North,Varnum  T.  Aylesworth, 
Charles  Allen,  Harrison  J.  Beaver,  Jacob  Lindsey,  Isaac 
Miller,  William  Neer,  Lewis  Neer,  Andrew  J.  Perry, 
John  A.  Robbins,  Philip  N.  Shrake,  John  Tally,  Milton 
Withrow. 

Company  B. — Alfred  Baldwin,  William  F.  Ballard, 
J.  B.  Baylor,  Joshua  Bailey,  Peter  B.  Few,  Robert 
Faith,  Lewis  Hill,  George  R.  Kibbey,  Samuel  McCor- 
mick,  William  Martin,  Adam  Sherman,  John  Wertz. 

Company  C. — Patterson  McNutt,  Tilmon  D.  Kyger, 
John  V.  Don  Carlos,  David  Branson,  Lawrence  Dye, 
Amasa  Hasty,  Abraham  Jones,  John  S.  Long,  James 
S.  Peck,  Daniel  Suycott,  Chris.  C.  Shires,  Walter  Scott, 
Charles  W.  Cook,  James  F.  Williams,  Merida  Thornton. 

Company  D. — James  C.  Spencer,  Hugh  Galbreath, 
John  Cronise,  David  Clover,  Thomas  Jones,  Thomas 
Rush,  James  Howard. 

Company  E. — John  Shults,  Joseph  M.  Dougherty, 
William  A.  Dougherty,  Mahlon  Aldridge,  William 
Powell,  Titus  J.  Fox,  W.  H.  Neville  (killed  February, 
1890,  railroad  bridge  wreck,  Peoria,  Illinois). 

Company  F. — William  Toberman,  William  0.  Wiley, 
Absalom  Newkirk,  Ephraim  Phillips,  James  D.  Evans, 
Harvey  Long,  Isaac  Eisinminger,  Charles  Loutzenhizer, 
Noah  T.  Barrack,  Stephen  Work,  Sidney  Anderson, 
George  Montgomery,  George  W.  Brown,  Logan  Knowles, 
James  A.  Coil,  Henry  Fars. 


INGERSOLUS  DIAR  Y.  641 

Company  G. — William  Emery,  Alex.  Pennington, 
Oscar  Gorsage,  John  Wright,  Smith  Wright. 

Company  If. — John  Prather,  Samuel  C.  Cohenour, 
William  Harris,  James  Lytle,  Marion  Fuller,  James 
Green,  Oliver  H.  Anderson. 

Company  I. — John  W.  Joy,  William  Crooker,  William 
C.  Gamble,  James  Fortner,  Cole  Moxson,  Jas.  N.  Barger. 

Company  K. — D.  M.  Davis,  Perry  Fulton,  Joseph 
Heiple,  Henry  HinchclifF,  James  Lancaster,  Henry  C. 
Morgan  (found  shot  in  woods  in  Missouri,  1880;  sup- 
posed suicided  or  assassinated),  Enoch  Martin  (accident- 
ally shot,  1866),  John  Rodman,  Elijah  Stacy,  D.  B. 
Van  Winkle. 

Captain  E.  J.  Ingersoll's  memoranda,  covering  dates 
November  29  to  December  1,  1864,  inclusive,  besides 
corroborating  fully  other  statements  as  shown  in  chap- 
ter vi,  also  furnish  the  following  additional  testimony 
concerning  Spring  Hill,  the  falling  back  to  Franklin, 
and  the  battle  there  : 

"  November  29th. — .  .  .  Skirmished  with  cavalry.  One  man 
of  Company  G  received  a  slight  wound.  On  picket  again  at 
night,  south-east  of  Spring  Hill,  left  of  regiment  resting  near  the 
pike.  Crawled  to  top  of  ridge,  and  looked  over  into  Confederate 
camp ;  so  close  we  could  hear  conversation  in  enemy's  camp.  Our 
troops  kept  moving  all  night. 

"November  30th. — Relieved  from  picket;  formed  skirmish- 
line.  .  .  .  Regiment  rear  guard,  and  skirmished  all  forenoon. 
Hard  duty.  Very  tired. 

"  2  P.  M. — Nearing  Franklin.  Rebel  army  appeared  to  be 
marching  in  close  column,  ready  for  engagement.  Enemy's  cav- 
alry in  force  on  our  right  and  left  flanks. 

"  3  P.  M. — Passed  through  two  brigades  of  our  division.  Had 
some  conversation  with  artillerymen  about  their  position.  Colonel 
Opdycke  ordered  our  brigade  inside  fortifications,  to  prepare 
lunch.  Brigade  formed  in  rear  of  the  Carter  Hill  and  house,  in 
column  of  regiments;  73d  in  front,  left  resting  at  the  pike. 

41 


642  MORE  ABOUT  FRANKLIN. 

Noticed  two  regiments  of  new  troops  in  works  in  line,  one  an  Ohio, 
the  other  a  Missouri  regiment.  Called  to  assist  the  major 
commanding  regiment.  Held  conversation  with  the  major ; 
suggested  a  move  forward  nearer  crest  of  hill  in  rear  of  works,  by 
which  time  cavalry  on  our  right  were  skirmishing  lively,  and  a  few 
spent  balls  fell  among  our  boys.  Major  Motherspaw  did  not  like 
to  move  regiment  without  orders.  Troops  in  front  engaged  those 
in  works  south  of  Carter  house.  Very  uneasy.  That  part  of 
artillery  left  out  in  front  went  to  rear  under  full  whip.  Major 
Motherspaw  went  to  left  of  regiment  and  said  :  '  We  will  move 
out  of  ravine.'  Called  regiment  to  '  attention.'  The  boys  sprang 
to  arms.  Balance  of  brigade  did  the  same.  The  brigades  out  in 
front  fell  back  in  confusion.  Rebels  charged.  Everything  looked 
panicky  at  this  time,  except  Opdycke's  brigade.  The  major  gave 
the  command,  '  Forward  !'  Boys  began  to  cheer  and  yell  as  they 
advanced  ;  they  tore  down  a  picket-fence  also.  Balance  of  brigade 
caught  the  enthusiam,  and  went  to  the  works,  too;  so  far  as  I 
know,  without  orders.  As  the  left  wing  of  the  73d  was  nearing 
the  Carter  house,  a  staff  officer  of  our  brigade  rode  up  and 
said  :  '  Seventy-third, for  God's  sake,  halt!'  I  repeated  the  command,, 
halted  about  fifty  men  long  enough  to  start  again,  and  then  all 
went  on  to  the  works  together.  Some  of  the  new  troops  went  back 
with  us,  as  did  also  many  of  Conrad's  and  Lane's  men.  Think  the 
charge  without  a  parallel  in  our  army.  One  of  Company  K 
bayoneted  a  rebel  on  the  Carter  house  steps.  I  passed  from  Carter 
house  to  cotton-gin,  then  returned  to  first  piece  of  artillery  in 
rear  of  Carter  house.  Captain  Patton,  Adjutant  Wilmer,  and 
myself  assisted  artillerymen  in  firing  until  ammunition  gave  out. 
A  lieutenant  of  French's  division  surrendered  at  the  cannon's 
mouth.  I  took  him  to  brigade  head-quarters.  Met  General  Cox 
on  the  pike  in  front  of  Carter  house  about  five  P.  M.,  and  again 
at  about  ten  P.  M.,  the  only  general  officer  I  saw  on  the  ground. 
Was  struck  by  a  ball  on  left  arm  while  assisting  in  firing  cannon. 
When  we  reached  the  works,  the  rebels  were  mostly  on  the  out- 
side. We  left  the  line  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M. ,  crossed  Harpeth 
River  for  Nashville,  arriving  December  1,  1864." 

Captain  Ingersoll  says  that,  as  to  orders,  Major 
Motherspaw  deserved  more  credit  than  any  other  man, 
as  he  finally  ordered  the  regiment  to  crest  of  hill,  where 
every  man  could  instantly  see  that  the  only  salvation 


OTHER  STATEMENTS.  643 

for  the  army  was  for  our  brigade  to  retake  and  hold 
the  works  in  front  of  Carter  house.  Having  thus  seen 
the  imperative  need  of  the  occasion,  the  brigade  proved 
equal  to  the  supreme  emergency,  and  saved  the  day 
and  the  Army  of  the  West.  After  the  wounding  of 
Major  Motherspaw,  the  command  of  the  73d  devolved 
upon  Captain  Burroughs. 

In  looking  through  the  mass  of  letters  which  have 
accumulated  since  we  have  been  preparing  this  history, 
we  found  the  first  statement,  made  by  Joseph  Cun- 
ningham, also  statements  made  by  T.  C.  Hatch  and 
John  S.  Parke,  of  Company  B,  in  each  of  which  the 
leading  features  of  the  situation  at  the  battle  of  Frank- 
lin, and  the  part  performed  by  the  73d,  are  set  forth 
substantially  the  same  as  in  all  other  statements  here- 
in. Sergeant  Parke  says  : 

"  When  Hood  made  his  impetuous  charge,  the  73d  was  lying 
in  rear  of  the  Carter  house.  The  44th  Missouri  broke,  and  came 
running  to  the  rear  through  our  lines.  One  of  Company  B,  Ben 
Opdycke  (no  relation  to  the  colonel),  said  :  '  Let's  stop  this  stam- 
pede.' With  that  the  regiment  started  for  the  front  without  regu- 
lar formation." 

T.  C.  Hatch  says,  in  recounting  the  work  of  the  73d 
at  Franklin,  that  he  did  not  know  what  the  balance  of 
the  army  was  doing  at  the  same  time,  but  expresses 
the  opinion  that  all  who  remained  in  or  about  the  works 
did  their  best. 

Harlin  P.  Tuthill,  of  Company  K,  has  furnished  a 
statement  on  the  Columbia-Franklin  campaign,  too 
late  for  insertion  in  proper  place,  in  the  sixth  chapter. 
According  to  said  statement,  we  remaitied  at  or  near 
Columbia  one  or  two  days,  and  built  breastworks.  The 
73d  was  in  the  advance  on  the  march  to  Spring  Hill. 


644  FRANKLIN  AGAIN. 

We  reached  Spring  Hill  some  time  after  noon,  November 
29th,  and  left  there  early  next  morning  for  Franklin. 

Our  regiment  was  a  part  of  the  rear  guard,  and 
marched,  or  fell  back,  in  line  of  battle  nearly  the  whole 
of  the  way  to  Franklin.  At  about  four  o'clock  P.  M., 
were  ordered  to  retake  the  works  that  had  been  sur- 
rendered. On  the  way  up  to  the  works,  Comrade 
Tuthill  was  shot  through  the  leg,  and  afterwards  made 
his  way  across  the  river,  was  put  in  an  ambulance,  and 
reached  Nashville  before  morning  of  December  1,  1864. 
The  73d  had  stacked  arms  some  distance  in  the  rear 
of  line  of  works  for  the  purpose  of  cooking  supper,  not 
having  had  an  opportunity  to  cook  anything  since  the 
night  before,  and  were  then  ordered  by  Major  Mothers- 
paw  to  recapture  the  section  of  the  works  near  the 
turnpike.  On  the  way  we  encountered  hundreds  of 
new  recruits  (new  clothes)  running  back.  After  over- 
coming these  and  other  obstructions,  the  works  were 
recovered  and  held  until  our  forces  voluntarily  relin- 
quished them. 

Comrade  Tuthill  adds  the  following : 

"George  Outman  was  the  first  man  of  Company  K  killed. 
He  was  killed  in  the  railroad  cut,  at  Stone  River,  December  31, 
1862.  Levi  Crews  was  the  last  one  killed,  being  killed  at  Resaca, 
May  14,  1864." 

Company  K  escaped  remarkably  well  during  the 
year  1864,  the  foregoing  statement  being  true.  The 
statement  continues  : 

"  At  Chickamauga,  Company  K  had  thirty  men  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  second  day ;  in  a  few  minutes'  time  it  had  seven  men 
killed,  seven  wounded,  and  four  captured,  mustering  only  twelve 
men  at  the  next  roll-call.  I  was  shot  in  the  foot  on  the  retreat 
across  the  open  field.  After  reaching  the  woods,  found  an  ambu- 


"PREACHER  REGIMENT."  645 

lance.  Lieutenant  Bailey,  of  Company  B,  and  myself  got  in  it, 
and,  on  invitation,  Pat  Sweeny,  of  Company  G,  got  out  and  dis- 
appeared too  quickly,  ambulance  driver  having  one  dead  and  two 
living  passengers.  Left  for  Chattanooga,  arriving  there  during  the 
night ;  were  moved  next  day  across  the  river  to  field  hospital,  and 
later  were  sent  across  the  mountains  in  army-wagons  to  Bridge- 
port, where  we  took  the  train  for  Nashville." 

HOW  THE  SEVENTY-THIRD  BECAME  KNOWN  AS 
THE  "PREACHER  REGIMENT." 

In  September,  1862,  the  following  communication 
appeared  in  the  Cincinnati  Commercial,  and  was  copied 
into  nearly  every  paper  in  the  United  States,  thus 
spreading  widely  the  fame  of  the  73d  Illinois.  It  was 
written  by  Henry  A.  Castle,  then  adjutant's  clerk,  after- 
ward sergeant-major: 

"  COVINGTON,  KENTUCKY,  September  17,  1862. 

"  MR.  EDITOR,— The  following  is  a  list  of  the  field  officers  and 
captains  of  the  73d  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers,  known  at 
home  as  the  "Methodist  Preacher  Regiment,"  now  stationed  at 
Camp  Russell,  in  the  suburbs  of  Covington : 

"  Colonel.—  Rev.  James  F.  Jaquess,  D.  D.,  late  president  of 
Quincy  College. 

"Lieutenant-Colonel. — Rev.  Benjamin  F.  Northcott. 

"Major. — Rev.  Win.  A.  Presson. 

"  Captains. — Company  A,  Wm.  E.  Smith  ;  Company  B,  Rev. 
W.  B.  M.  Colt;  Company  C,  Rev.  P.  McNutt ;  Company  D,  Thos. 
Motherspaw  ;  Company  E,  Wilson  Burroughs;  Company  F,  Rev. 
Geo.  W.  Montgomery ;  Company  G,  John  Sutton ;  Company  H, 
Rev.  Jas.  I.Davidson;  Company  I,  Rev.  Peter  Wallace;  Com- 
pany K,  Rev.  R.  H.  Laughlin. 

"  Six  or  seven  of  the  twenty  lieutenants  are  also  licensed  Meth- 
odist preachers.  Being  thus  officered,  you  may  rest  assured  we 
are  a  good  set  of  boys.  H.  A.  C." 

"  PERSIMMON  REGIMENT." 

It  was  while  on  the  march  from  Crab  Orchard  to 
Nashville,  and  later  at  Mill  Creek  in  the  fall  of  1862, 


646  "PERSIMMON  REGIMENT." 

that  the  73d  displayed  an  unusual  fondness  for  per- 
simmons— ripe  ones.  At  the  end  of  a  hard  march,  near 
the  close  of  day,  if  a  persimmon-grove  was  anywhere 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  bivouac,  everything,  the  prepa- 
rations for  coffee  and  a  night's  rest,  was  subordinated 
by  many  of  the  regiment  to  the  raid  on  the  persim- 
mon-patch. The  2d  Missouri,  likewise,  had  a  "  han- 
kering" for  rails.  At  one  time  and  place,  Colonel 
Laiboldt  grew  a  little  impatient  and  restless  while  wit- 
nessing, and  at  the  same  time  endeavoring  to  restrain, 
the  efforts  of  the  two  regiments  to  gratify  their  respect- 
ive longings  mentioned  above.  He  declared  with 
emphasis  that  if  there  was  a  pile  of  rails  and  a  per- 
simmon-tree in  the  public  square  of  Richmond  (Va.), 
he  could  take  the  2d  Missouri  and  73d  Illinois  regi- 
ments and  capture  that  city. 

It  was  in  this  way,  manifesting  this  fondness  for 
persimmons — ripe  persimmons — that  the  73d  gained  the 
soubriquet  of  "  Persimmon  Regiment." 

NAMES    OF    PERSONS   NOT    MEMBERS    OF    THE    SEVENTY- 
THIRD,  WHO  WERE  PATRONS  OF  THIS  HISTORY  IN 
ADVANCE  OF  PUBLICATION. 

Charles  Allinger,  2d  Missouri  Infantry,  Fond  du 
Lac,  Wis. ;  Arthur  MacArthur,  24th  Wisconsin  Infantry, 
Washington,  D.  C. ;  Henry  F.  Renter,  2d  Missouri 
Infantry,  Nashville,  111. ;  August  F.  Taubert,  44th  Illi- 
nois, Pekin,  111. ;  Olive  Newlin,  Danville,  111. ;  Mrs. 
S.  W.  Cook,  Evansville,  Ind.;  W.  H.  Hodge,  J.  P., 
Rushville,  111. ;  G.  W.  Oliver,  Griggsville,  111. ;  Mrs. 
C.  M.  Harrington,  Griggsville,  111. ;  Mrs.  Job  Clark, 
Perry,  111.;  Mrs.  Lizzie  E.  Kyger,  Danville,  111. ;  C.  M. 
Simmons,  137th  Illinois  Infantry,  Griggsville,  111.;  H. 
Evans,  Win.  Bradbury,  J.  M.  Browning,  J.  Shastid, 


NAMES  OF  PA TRONS.  64  7 

James  Whittaker,  John  Wicha,  Perry,  111. ;  General 
John  McNulta,  94th  Illinois  Infantry,  Chicago,  111. ; 
Thos.  B.  Holt,  4th  Illinois  Cavalry,  Pekin,  111.;  Captain 
A.  Behrens,  Chris.  Frederick,  44th  Illinois  Infantry, 
Pekin,  111. ;  D.  C.  Smith,  Ex-M.  C.,  8th  Illinois  Infantry, 
Pekin,  111. ;  E.  F.  Unlan,  Ex-Member  Illinois  General 
Assembly,  8th  Illinois  Infantry,  Pekin,  111.  ;  Mrs.. Ed  win 
Nichols,  Delavan,  III. ;  Mrs.  J.  B.  Baylor,  Fairbury,  111. ; 
Hiram  H.  Ashmore,  Chaplain,  25th  Illinois  Infantry, 
Peoria,  111. ;  John  Trowbridge,  Lewis  H.  Burns,  Green 
Valley,  Illinois  ;  George  Little,  Mrs.  Sarah  G.  Wright, 
J.  G.  Noland,  Rushville,  111. ;  Miss  Lucy  Young,  Bloom- 
field,  Iowa;  Anna  E.  Dean,  Griggsville,  111.;  E.  C. 
Bradbury,  Conway,  Kan.  ;  H.  H.  Brengleman,  Thomas 
Boothby,  Perry,  111.;  Lewis  Brown,  B.  Taylor,  Delavan, 
111. ;  Dennis  Turpin,  James  F.  Turpin,  James  M.  Hur- 
ley, Ephraim  Hurley,  Loami,  111. ;  Thomas  Osborne, 
13th  Kentucky  Infantry,  Loami,  111.  ;  James  M.  Hawas, 
16th  Illinois  Cavalry,  Loami,  111. ;  R.  L.  Underwood, 
Perry,  111.;  Clarinda  Olin,  McLean,  111.;  F.  S.  Halliday, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

NAMES  AND  POST-OFFICES   OF   SURVIVING   COMRADES  'OF 

THE  SEVENTY-THIRD,  AS  FAR  AS  KNOWN  OR 

REPORTED. 

FIELD  AND  STAFF. — James  F.  Jaquess,  London,  Eng., 
(January,  1890),  Tunica,  Miss. ;  William  A.  Pres.son, 
Yuma,  Col. ;  Wilson  Burroughs,  Fairmount,  111. ;  George 
0.  Pond,  Camp  Point,  111. ;  Robert  E.  Stephenson, 
Olathe,  Kan. ;  James  W.  L.  Slavens,  Kansas  City,  Mo. ; 
Richard  R.  Randall,  Lincoln,  Neb. ;  Isaac  N.  Jaquess, 
Mt.  Carmel,  111.;  Henry  A.  Castle,  St.  Paul,  Minn.; 
Robert  J.  Alexander,  Mound  Cit}',  Kan.;  Riley  M. 
Hoskinson,  Port  Blakeley,  Washington  ;  Joseph  0.  Joy, 


648  POST-OFFICE  ADDRESSES  OF  SUR  VIVORS. 

Loami,  111.  ;  John  W.  Rush,  Lamar,  Mo. ;  Benj.  F.  North- 
cott,  Linneus,  Mo. 

COMPANY  A. — Richard  Baker,  Mechanicsburg,  111.; 
William  S.  Bullard,  Mechanicsburg,  111.  ;  William  H. 
Bullard,  Olena,  Ark. ;  Emanuel  Cross,  Mechanicsburg, 
111. ;  David  C.  Fletcher,  Mechanicsburg,  111. ;  Thomas 
W.  Fortune,  Springfield,  111. ;  Harrison  P.  Hampton, 
Illiopolis,  111. ;  Preston  B.  Hampton,  Niles,  Kan. ;  Jere. 
C.  Ham,  Stonington,  111. ;  John  L.  Hesser,  Riverton, 
111. ;  Jesse  Humphrey,  Niantic,  111. ;  Eli  Huckleberry, 
Illiopolis,  111. ;  John  S.  Kizer,  Niantic,  111.  ;  Pierson  H. 
Kizer,  Mechanicsburg,  III. ;  A.  B.  Hiatt,  Belleflower, 
111. ;  Joel  Hudson,  Lenora,  Kan.  ;  John  Marion,  Me- 
chanicsburg, 111. ;  Andrew  McGath,  Mechanicsburg,  111. ; 
Robert  McCurdy,  Niles,  Kan. ;  William  W.  Meredith, 
Severy,  Kan. ;  Richard  Oliver,  Niantic,  111. ;  Samuel  F. 
Ridgway,  Springfield,  111. ;  Thomas  Underwood,  Daw- 
son,  111. ;  William  Morgan  Thaler,  Palmyra,  Neb.  ;  Ira 
J.  Morgan,  Holliday,  111. ;  Henry  M.  Cass,  Holden, 
Mo.;  William  H.  Maxwell,  Millersville,  111. 

COMPANY  B.— Harvey  Pratt,  98  Turner  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111.;  David  F.  Lawler,  Green  Valley,  111.; 
Thomas  J.  Frazee,  Green  Valley,  111. ;  Thomas  J.  Cas- 
saday,  Green  Valley,  111. ;  James  W.  Mundy.  Lincoln, 
111. ;  Erastus  R.  Mundy,  Broadwell,  111. ;  William  H. 
McNichols,  Nokomis,  111. ;  Charles  W.  McNichols, 
Oconee,  111. ;  Benjamin  F.  Miller,  Armington,  111. ;  Cal- 
vin F.  Randolph,  Danvers,  111. ;  Wm.  B.  Ward,  Fair- 
bury,  III. ;  Darius  Baylor,  Gibson  City,  111.  ;  William 
A.  Jacobus,  Burt  Newman,  William  Moorhead,  Robert 
J.  Patterson,  Delavan,  111. ;  David  W.  Alexander,  Mound 
City,  Kan. ;  Alfred  A.  Holmes,  Ellis  Day,  Hiawatha, 
Kan. ;  Benj.  Opedyke,  Randolph,  Mo. ;  Jesse  Holt,  Baker, 


POST-OFFICE  ADDRESSES  OF  SURVIVORS.  649 

Kan. ;  Daniel  Boy  den,  Eldorado,  Kan. ;  Joel  H.  Buck- 
man,  Lyndon,  Kari. ;  Ira  L.  Lamphere,  Los  Angeles, 
Cal. ;  DeWitt  R.  Gooch,  Belleflower,  111. ;  Thomas  C. 
Hatch,  Holdredge,  Neb. ;  Marshall  Brown,  Saybrook, 
111. ;  Cyrus  M.  Bailey,  Fairbury,  Neb. ;  Thomas  J. 
Wakefield,  Anson,  Kan.  ;  Jno.  S.  Parke,  St.  Louis,  Mo.; 
George  W.  Ohmart,  Palmyra,  Neb. ;  Daniel  J.  Reid, 
Altamont,  Kan.  ;  Thomas  A.  Martin,  Smithfield,  Mo. ; 
Martin  L.  Freeman,  Neligh,  Neb. ;  John  W.  Holt,  Oak- 
wood,  Kan. ;  Thomas  P.  Wright,  Almena,  Kan. ;  Simon 
P.  Bell,  Olney,  111. ;  Alexis  F.  Cahow,  Amite  City,  La. ; 
Abraham  Provost,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  ;  James  Wakefield, 
Clinton,  111. ;  Noah  Drake,  Plainfield,  N.  J. ;  John  H. 
Long,  Colorado  Springs,  Col. ;  Chas.  L.  Gale,  Chicago, 
111. ;  Marion  McCormack,  McLean,  111. ;  Daniel  W.  Dil- 
lon, Peoria,  111. ;  David  H.  Palmer,  St.  Louis,  Mo. ; 
Henry  Miller,  Petersburg,  111. 

COMPANY  C. — Mark  D.  Hawes,  Decatur,  111. ;  Wm. 
R.  Lawrence,  Danville,  111.;  Wm.  H.  Newlin,  Spring- 
field, 111. ;  Richard  N.  Davies,  Delavan,  111. ;  Samuel 
J.  Boen,  Eugene,  Ind. ;  David  McDonald,  Georgetown, 
111.;  Carey  A.  Savage,  Danville,.  111. ;  William  0.  Un- 
derwood, Unionville,  Mo. ;  William  B.  Cowan,  Ridge 
Farm,  111.  ;  John  Braselton,  Georgetown,  111. ;  Enoch 
Braselton,  Georgetown,  Ilh ;  Nathan  Brady,  George- 
town, 111. ;  Clark  B.  Brant,  Danville,  111. ;  Robert  W. 
Cowan,  Georgetown,  111.;  Jonathan  Ellis,  Quaker  Hill,. 
Ind.  ;  Benjamin  F.  Edmonds,  Georgetown,  111..;  Hen- 
derson Goodwin,  Indianola,  111. ;  Henry  C.  Henderson, 
Humerick,  111.  ;  Austin  Henderson,  Homer,  111. ;  Thos. 
Judd,  Cuba,  111. ;  Jehu  Lewis,  Georgetown,  111.  ;  Thos. 
E.  Madden,  Georgetown,  111.  ;  Isa^ac  R.  Thornton, 
Georgetown,  111. ;  Francis  M.  Stevens,  Grape  Creek,  111. ; 


650  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  SURVIVORS. 

Jas.  P.  Slaughter,  Logan,  111.  ;  Jno.  Trimble,  Blooming- 
dale,  111.;  Jas.  Trimble,  Slater, Mo. ;  Isaac  H.  Thompson, 
Ridge  Farm,  111. ;  Jno.  Bostwick,  Ridge  Farm,  111. ;  Wm. 
R.  Cook,  Alma,  Ark. ;  Geo.  Hollingsworth,  Ridge  Farm, 
111. ;  James  E.  Moore,  La  Cygne,  Kan. ;  Benj.  Purdum, 
Ridge  Farm,  111.;  Stephen  Newlin,  Georgetown,  111.; 
Alex.  C.  Nicholson,  Paxton,  111.  ;  Robert  J.  Hasty, 
Newport,  Ind.;  Wm.  M.  Sheets,  Georgetown,  111.;  Al- 
fred E.  Lewis,  Georgetown,  111. ;  Wesley  Bishop,  Ridge 
Farm,  111.  ;  John  M.  Thompson,  Palermo,  111.  ;  James 
T.  Maudlin,  Mound  Valley,  Kan. ;  David  W.  Doop, 
Cherry  vale,  Kan. ;  John  Doop,  Cherry  vale,  Kan. ;  Pleas. 
B.  Huffman,  Manchester,  111. ;  Thomas  T.  Ashmore,  In- 
dianola,  111. ;  William  D.  Bales,  Oakwood,  111. ;  William 
Cook,  St.  Joseph,  111. ;  Nathaniel  Henderson,  Sweet 
Water,  Neb. ;  William  Martin,  Arkansas  City,  Kan.  ; 
George  W.  Martin,  Arkansas  City,  Kan. 

COMPANY  D. — Jonas  Jones,  Monticello,  111. ;  James 
H.  Piper,  Monticello,  111. ;  John  M.  Albert,  Monticello, 
111.;  John  Musselman,  Argenta,  111.;  John  T.  Talbert, 
Monticello,  111. ;  William  D.  Coffin,  Bement,  111. ;  Wm. 
Knowles,  Bement,  111. ;  Jonas  B.  Garver,  Deland,  111. ; 
Edward  Williamson,  Deland,  111. ;  Samuel  B.  Garver, 
Farmer  City,  111.  ;  John  C.  E.  McMillan,  Russell  Springs, 
Kan. ;  Allen  Heath,  Humboldt,  Kan. ;  Stephen  Vail, 
North  Topeka,  Kan.  ;  Lucian  Langdon,  Girard,  Kan. ; 
Elias  M.  Miller,  Belle  Plain,  Kan. ;  Richard  M.  Sturm, 
Eugene,  Ind. ;  William  H.  Secrist,  Roscoe,  Mo. ;  Ira 
Knapp,  Roscoe,  Mo. ;  Elishman  Brady,  Champaign, 
111. ;  Allen  Wiley,  Bloomington,  111. ;  Leonard  McCar- 
dle,  Beecher  City,  111. ;  John  H.  Weddle,  Cisco,  111. ; 
Harry  M.  Alvord,  Mansfield,  0.;  James  W.  Hold.  Ida 
Grove,  la. ;  William  J.  Long,  Carrollton,  Neb. ;  Richard 


SE VENTY- THIRD  ILLINOIS  SUE  VIVORS.  651 

S.  Hopkins,  Buffalo,  Wyoming;  James  Y.  Abnett, 
Monticello,  111. ;  Robert  Newton,  Mansfield,  111. ;  John 
Reynolds,  Ferris,  Cal. 

COMPANY  E. — Amos  B.  Barker,  Fainnount,  III.  ;  Reu- 
ben Jack,  Fairmount,  111. ;  Charles  Tilton,  Fairmount, 
111. ;  Edwin  Robertson,  Fairmount,  111. ;  John  Quinn, 
Fairmount,  111. ;  Thomas  E.  Busby,  Catlin,  III.  ;  Aaron 
Dolbey.  Homer,  III.;  Hilkiah  F.  Meharry,  Danville, 
111. ;  Joseph  L.  Catlett,  Sidell,  111. ;  Sampson  McCool, 
Ridge  Farm,  111. ;  William  McCool,  Ridge  Farm,  111. ; 
Silas  M.  Busby,  Ridge  Farm,  111.  ;  Benjamin  F.  Kirk- 
ley.  Paxton,  111. ;  George  Ward,  Monticello,  111. ;  John 
L.  Moore,  Leon,  Kan. ;  David  Blosser,  Holton,  Kan. ; 
Townsend  Hendrickson,  Scranton,  South  Dakota  ;  Le- 
Grand  J.  Place,  Newport,  Ind. ;  Butler  Presson,  Bea- 
trice, Neb. ;  George  McCully,  Bellwood,  Neb. ;  Patrick 
Martin,  Vandercook,  111. ;  William  J.  Moore,  George- 
town, 111. ;  William  H.  Busby,  Hebron,  la.  ;  Cyrus  J. 
Timmons,  Urbana,  111.;  Joseph  McBroom,  Oakwood, 
111. ;  William  B.  Taylor,  New  Salem,  Kan. ;  George  E. 
Harvey,  Selma,  Kan. ;  Charles  Harvey,  Lincoln,  Mo. ; 
John  W.  Dutton,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Geo.  J.  Harrier, 
Grape  Creek,  111. 

COMPANY  F.  —  George  Dudney,  Tecumseh,  Kan. ; 
George  H.  McKinnie,  Beloit,  Kan. ;  Jacob  Spivey,  Min- 
neapolis, Kan. ;  Johnson  W.  Wright,  Springfield,  III. ; 
Ezra  D.  McMasters,  Lincoln,  111.;  James  P.  Stone, 
Lincoln,  111.;  Edward  W.  Bennett,  Carbondale,  III.; 
John  Spindler,  Paxton,  111. ;  Charles  W.  Keeley,  El- 
dred,  111.;  Nelson  G.  Davis,  New  Holland,  111. ;  Newton 
S.  Dunn,  New  Holland,  111. ;  William  Shaner,  Middle- 
town,  111. ;  Wm.  Boyer,  Middletown,  111. ;  Peter  Boyer, 
Middletown,  111.;  Dennis  Barrick,  Middletown,  111.; 


652  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  S UR  VIVORS. 

Robert  Weaver,  Middletown,  111. ;  Jonathan  C.  Lloyd, 
Middletown,  111. ;  William  Barrick,  Sedalia,  Mo. ;  Mark 
S.  Gordon,  Broadwell,  111. ;  Henry  B.  Dove,  Broadwell, 
111. ; William  H.  Van  Meter,  Elkhart,  111.;  Benjamin  H. 
Hunt,  Rankin,  111. ;  Marion  McGarvey,  Roodhouse,  111. ; 
Jesse  L.  Kinney,  Schuyler,  Neb. ;  John  Stollard,  Teka- 
mah,  Neb.;  Benj.  F.  Morris,  Western,  Neb.;  Berry 
Hobbs,  Edgar,  Neb. ;  Francis  A.  Craig,  Central  City, 
Neb. ;  Joseph  A.  Davidson,  Riverton,  Neb. ;  James  R. 
Henderson,  Dawson,  Neb.;  Allen  W.  Broddess,  Deca- 
tur,  111. ;  James  J.  Boland,  Chester,  111. ;  Wesley  Long, 
Atlanta,  III. ;  Harvey  Eisenrninger,  Hutchinson,  Kan  ; 
Joseph  B.  Thompson,  Denver,  Col.  ;  Abijah  Anderson, 
Trenton,  N.  J. ;  Henry  Schasteen,  Mound  City,  Kan. ; 
Samuel  Burkett,  Marion,  la. ;  Archibald  Thompson, 
Eve,  Mo. 

COMPANY  G. — Ezekiel  J.  Ingersoll,  Carbondale,  III.; 
John  E.  Seward,  Industry,  111. ;  Karl  Yapp,  Industry, 
111. ;  Harris  A.  Vanorder,  Rushville,  111. ;  Jasper  Hooker, 
Rushville,  111.  ;  Stillman  Stout,  Rushville,  111. ;  Fred- 
erick Glossop,  Rushville,  111. ;  George  W.  Vanorder, 
Rushville,  111. ;  John  H.  McGrath,  Doddsville,  111.; 
Stuart  F.  Hoskinson,  Blakeley.  Wash. ;  Joseph  Cun- 
ningham, Conway,  Mo. ;  Joseph  Vannattan,  Springfield, 
111. ;  Norman  A.  Vannattan,  Springfield,  111. ;  Thomas 
Horton,  Industry,  111.;  James  F.  Tolle,  Trenton,  Mo.; 
William  T.  Purnell,  Trenton,  Mo. ;  James  Hagle,  Sa- 
betha,  Kan. ;  Peter  H.  K.  Colt,  Lincoln,  Neb. ;  Louis 
Day,  Upland,  Neb. ;  Wm.  H.  Dimmick,  Ludell,  Kan. ; 
John  W.  Worthbaugh,  Clarks,  Neb. ;  John  W.  Dough- 
erty, Carthage,  111. ;  George  Swackhammer,  Montrose, 
Mo.  ;  John  Swackhammer,  Montrose,  Mo. ;  William  H. 
Blackley,  Ripley,  111. ;  Josiah  Emery,  Soldiers'  Home, 


SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  SURVIVORS.  653 

Minnehaha,  Minn.;  Jacob  C.  Welcome,  Burns,  Oreg. ; 
Wm.  T.  Tnlbott,  Astoria,  111.;  James  W.  Davis,  Muscle 
Fork,  Mo. ;  William  H.  Dodge,  Marshall,  Mich. 

COMPANY  H. — Joseph  L.  Morgan,  Quincy,.Ill.  ;  James 
B.  WTolgemuth,  Pierre,  So.  Dakota ;  John  W.  Sherrick, 
Camp  Point,  111. ;  Jno.  M.  Mull,  Bradford  ton,  111. ;  Hiram 
Evans,  Quincy,  111. ;  Jos.  Firestone,  Big  Neck,  111. ;  John 
Hedges,  Pana,  111.;  Jas.  Hedges,  Rosamond,  111.  ;  John 
Yelliott,  Milton,  111.  ;  James  Anthony,  Griggsville,  111. ; 
Win.  Anthony,  Griggsville,  111. ;  Chas.  Bickerdike,  Griggs- 
ville, 111.  ;  James  Bickerdike,  Griggsville,  111. ;  Francis 
A.  Phillips,  Griggsville,  111. ;  Giles  H.  Penstone,  Griggs- 
villa,  111. ;  Edwin  McCallister,  Griggsville,  111.  ;  William 
H.  Wilson,  Perry,  111.;  John  J.  Goullee,  New  Florence, 
Mo. ;  James  Lancaster,  Mt.  Sterling,  la. ;  DeWitt  C. 
Simmons,  Salem,  Neb.;  William  G.  Jaquess,  Tunica, 
Miss. ;  Joseph  D.  Cawthon,  Kingston,  Mo. ;  Martin 
Culler,  Little  Indian,  111.;  Smith  Rist,  Little  Indian, 
III. ;  Jesse  B.  Newport,  Girard,  Kan. ;  Archibald  Good- 
win, Girard,  Kan.;  Isaac  Lytle,  Arcadia,  Kan.;  Simeon 
Baldwin,  Parsons,  Kan. ;  Alpheus  Winegar,  Lenerxa, 
Kan.;  Joshua  Duran,  Carlinville,  Mo.;  Geo.  Y.  John- 
son, Willis,  Kan.;  James  McKnight,  Barnard,  Mo.; 
Edward  Penstone,  Pittsfield,  111. 

COMPANY  I. — George  W.  Patten,  St.  Elmo,  Tenn. ; 
Peter  Wallace,  Clinton,  111. ;  James  M.  Turpin,  Loami, 
111.;  William  E.  Joy,  Loami,  111.;  Calvin  J.  Hinman, 
Loami,  111.;  James  M.  Joy,  Waverly,  111. ;  Adna  Phelps, 
Springfield,  111.  ;  John  F.  Drennan,  Auburn,  111. ;  Jas. 
W.  Osborne,  Auburn,  111. ;  Wm.  M.  Corzine,  Auburn, 
111.;  John  N.  Williams,  Auburn,  111.;  John  C.  Glower, 
Zenobia,  111. ;  Wm.  Fortner,  Breckinridge,  111. ;  Francis 
M.  Kelley,  Morrisonville,  111.;  Robert  N.  S.  Barger, 


654  THE  OFFICIAL  RECORD. 

Hopedale,  111. ;  Alex.  C.  Rea,  Sigel,  111.  ;  Alex.  M. 
Cassity,  Taylorville,  111.  ;  Edward  S.  Turner,  Trumbull, 
Neb.;  Wiley  W.  Fortner,  Slater,  Mo.;  Thos.  N.  Baker, 
Le  Loup,  Kan.;  John  W.  Fisher,  Arthur,  III.;  Lucius 
F.  Gould,  Folsorn,  Cal. ;  Richard  R.  Roberts,  Longton, 
Kan.;  Chauncey  H.  Castle,  Quincy,  111.;  Hiram  T. 
Coffman,  Mason  City,  Neb. ;  James  B.  Remington,  Na- 
tional Military  Home,  0. ;  Charles  R.  Campbell,  Os- 
wego,  Kan. 

COMPANY  K. — Wiley  Gray,  Elkville,  111. ;  Benajah 
Morgan,  DeSoto,  111.;  Wm.  M.  Karnes,  Paducah,  Ky.; 
James  A.  Rice,  Harrisburg,  111.;  Reuben  W.  Laughlin, 
Benkleman,  Neb. ;  Harlin  P.  Tuthill,  Anna,  111. ;  Geo. 
Kolb,  DeSoto,  111.;.  George  B.  Corry,  DeSoto,  111.; 
Noah  Farner,  DeSoto,  111.;  Henry  Nosley,  DeSoto,  111. ; 
Robinson  Crews,  DeSoto,  111. ;  Alvas  Rude,  DeSoto, 
111.;  Jacob  Millhouse,  DeSoto,  111.;  Frank  Heiple,  De- 
Soto, 111.;  Samuel  Heiple,  DeSoto,  111.;  John  Heiple, 
DeSoto,  III.;  Henry  Heiple,  DeSoto,  111. ;  John  W. 
Purdy,  Makanda,  111. ;  Eliphaz  C.  Porter,  Vergennes, 
111.  ;  Benjamin  Spieth,  Doniphan,  Neb. 

WAR  RECORD. 

From  the  official  records  we  present  the  following,  for 
which  we  are  indebted  to  Captain  Patten,  of  St.  Elmo, 
Tennessee,  and  J.  W.  Kirkley,  of  the  War  Records 
Publication  Office,  War  Department,  Washington  City, 
D.  C. 

From  Volume  XVI,  Series  I,  Part  I,  Reports,  page 
1036,  Official  Records,  War  of  the  Rebellion,  we  find 
losses  of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  at  Perryville,  Ken- 
tucky, October  8,  1862,  stated,  as  being  two  killed, 
thirty- three  wounded.  Total  loss,  thirty -five. 


EXTRACTS— SHERIDAN'S  REPORT.  655 

• 

Page  1081,  same  volume,  shows  the  following: 

"  I  can  not  speak  with  too  much  praise  of  the  good  conduct  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  my  whole  division,  all  of  whom  were  engaged. 
The  new  troops  vied  with  the  old  troops  of  the  division  in  their 
coolness  and  courage."  (Sheridan's  report  on  Perryville.) 

Volume  XX,  Series  I,  Part  I,  page  209,  shows  losses 
of  73d  at  Stone  River  to  be  eighty-eight  in  all. 

Pages  260,  261,  same  volume,  shows  the  losses  of 
regiment  at  Stone  River  to  be  twenty-two  killed, 
fifty-two  wounded.  Total  seventy-four;  the  captured 
and  missing  not  included. 

On  page  351,  same  volume,  we  find  these  words  : 

"I  refer  with  "pride  to  the  splendid  conduct,  bravery,  and  ef- 
ficiency of  the  following  regimental  commanders,  and  the  officers 
and  men  of  their  respective  commands."  (Sheridan's  report  on 
Stone  River.) 

Among  the  regimental  commanders  embraced  in  the 
list  is,  "  Major  W.  A.  Presson,  73d  Illinois,  wounded." 

Same  volume,  page  365,  shows  the  report  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Bernard  Laiboldt,  2d  Missouri  Infantry, 
commanding  2d  Brigade : 

"  HEAD  QUARTERS  SECOND  BRIGADE,  THIRD  DIVISION,  \ 
"  RIGHT  WING,  January  7,  1863.  / 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  a  report  of  the  part  taken 
by  the  brigade  I  now  have  the  honor  to  command,  in  the  battle  in 
front  of  Murfreesboro : 

"The  brigade,  then  in  command  of  the  lamented  Colonel  Fred- 
erick Schaefer,  was  assigned  position  as  reserve  of  the  third  divis- 
ion, on  December  30tb,  and  took  no  part  in  the  engagement  on  the 
left  on  that  day. 

"  Shortly  after  daybreak  next  morning,  December  31st,  Colonel 
Schaefer  received  orders  to  re-enforce  General  Sill's  brigade  with 
two  regiments,  and  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers  and  44th  Illinois 
Volunteers,  under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Weber,  of  the 
15th  Missouri  Volunteers,  were  accordingly  sent  to  General  Sill, 


656  LAIBOLDT—  STONE  RIVER. 

» 

with  orders  to  report  to  him  for  duty.  The  2d  Battalion  of  the 
73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  command  of  Major  Presson,  was 
detached  to  protect  Captain  Hescock's  battery,  while  the  other  bat- 
talion of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers  and  the  2d  Missouri  Volun- 
teers were  held  in  reserve. 

"  The  15th  Missouri  Volunteers,  and  the  44th  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers had  a  position  assigned  to  them  about  thirty  yards  in 
rear  of  General  Sill's  brigade,  when,  after  a  short  interval,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Weber  received  orders  to  advance  in  double- 
quick.  The  order  was  promptly  executed,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Weber  found  himself  in  front  of  the  enemy,  the  artillery 
previously  stationed  there  having  retreated,  leaving  one  Parrott 
gun,  supposed  to  belong  to  Carpenter's  battery,  Davis's  division, 
behind.  The  two  regiments  mentioned  kept  up  a  strong  firing ; 
and  even  when  one  regiment  on  their  left  broke  and  ran,  they  held 
their  position  until  attacked  from  the  flank  and  front  at  once. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Weber  then  retreated  in  good  order,  keeping 
up  a  constant  firing,  until,  being  heavily  pressed  by  the  enemy,  he 
reached  a  corn-field,  where  he  halted. 

"  Soon  afterwards  our  troops  on  the  left  advanced  again  on  the 
enemy,  when  Lieutenant-Colonel  Weber  also  rapidly  advanced  to  a 
place  about  fifty  yards  in  advance  of  his  previous  position,  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle.  He  had  the  gun  above  referred  to 
dragged  by  his  men  to  the  rear  of  his  column,  from  where  it  after- 
ward was  removed  to  a  safer  place.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Weber  con- 
tested his  ground  admirably  until  the  enemy  advanced  six  columns 
deep,  and  the  ammunition  of  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers  gave 
out;  the  44th  Illinois  Volunteers  having  previously  withdrawn. 
Then  the  order  to  retreat  was  given  and  carried  out  without  im- 
proper haste,  until  the  edge  of  the  timber  was  reached,  when  the 
pressure  by  the  enemy  was  so  hard,  that  it  became  necessary  to 
resort  to  the  double-quick. 

"  By  the  time  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers  and  44th  Illinois 
Volunteers  rejoined  the  brigade,  orders  were  given  to  retreat  across 
the  pike  toward  a  piece  of  cedar  woods,  and  two  companies  of  the 
2d  Missouri  Volunteers  were  deployed  as  skirmishers  to  retard  the 
rapid  advance  of  the  enemy. 

"  The  whole  brigade,  with  the  exception  of  the  1st  Battalion  of 
the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  under  temporary  command  of  Captain 
Bergaii,  and  being  a  short  distance  from  the  main  body,  arrived 


OFFICIAL— STONE  RIVER.  657 

safely  at  the  woods  above  mentioned,  at  the  edge  of  which  the 
2d  Missouri  Volunteers,  behind  natural  and  very  favorable  for- 
tifications of  huge  and  deeply  cut  rocks,  opened  a  brisk  fire 
on  the  enemy,  which  kept  him  at  bay  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time. 

"The  first  Battalion  of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers  was  at  the 
same  time  attacked  by  the  enemy,  but  repulsed  them.  When  in 
the  attempt  to  join  the  brigade,  the  battalion  was,  by  the  advance 
of  General  Rousseau,  separated,  but,  keeping  up  a  constant  firing, 
crossed  the  pike  and  took  a  position  in  the  cedar  grove.  Here 
Captain  Bergan,  commanding  the  battalion,  withstood  three  dif- 
ferent charges  of  a  whole  rebel  cavalry  brigade,  and  was  shortly 
afterward  enabled  to  join  his  brigade. 

"  By  this  time  the  ammunition  of  the  2d  Missouri  Volunteers 
had  given  out,  as  well  as  that  of  the  rest  of  the  brigade,  and  they 
were  ordered  into  the  thicket  of  the  cedar  grove.  After  the  lapse 
of  one  hour,  the  brigade  was  enabled  to  receive  ammunition,  and 
had  a  new  position  assigned  to  them  on  the  Chattanooga  Railroad. 
Colonel  Schaefer  ordered  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers  to  deploy 
in  a  corn-field,  while  the  balance  of  the  brigade  held  the  railroad, 
and  kept  up  such  a  galling  and  well-aimed  fire,  that  the  enemy, 
though  of  a  strength  to  which  our  force  was  hardly  comparable, 
and  fighting  with  the  utmost  desperation,  was  again  and  again 
repulsed. 

"  The  15th  Missouri  Volunteers,  being  in  danger  of  being  out- 
flanked, retreated  toward  the  position  of  the  brigade,  and  it  was 
at  that  moment,  when  about  giving  orders  to  said  regiment,  that 
the  true  soldier  and  brave  man,  my  lamented  predecessor,  Colonel 
Frederick  Schaefer,  fell.  By  order  of  General  Sheridan,  I  assumed 
forthwith  the  command  of  the  brigade,  the  36th  Illinois  Volun- 
teers, commanded  by  Captain  Olson,  having  been  attached  to  it; 
and,  after  taking  up  another  favorable  position  on  the  line  of  the 
railroad,  I  was  enabled  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check  in  spite  of  his 
desperate  endeavors  until  night  broke  in,  and  the  bloody  drama  of 
that  day  was  ended. 

"On  January  1,  1863,  at  two  A.  M.,  my  brigade  was  ordered 
to  take  a  position  in  front  of  an  open  field,  edged  by  heavy  timber, 
and  I  had,  as  soon  as  daylight  permitted,  heavy  breastworks  erected 
along  the  whole  front  I  was  to  protect,  and,  keeping  a  vigilant  look- 
out, I  held  that  position  until  January  6th,  when  I  was  ordered  to 
advance  to  the  present  camp.  The  officers  and  men  of  the  brigade 

42 


658  CHATTANOOGA— RINOG OLD  CAMPAIGN. 

all  behaved  as  would  naturally  be  expected  of  veteran  soldiers  who- 
have  heretofore  earned  the  highest  praise  for  their  bravery  and 
gallantry,  and  to  enumerate  single  ones  would  hardly  be  in  justice 
to  the  balance. 

"  Among  those  who  laid  down  their  lives  for  our  holy  cause,  I 
particularly  lament  Captain  Zimmerman  and  Lieutenants  Kellner 
and  Quintzius,  of  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers;  Captain  Alsop, 
of  the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers;  Captain  Hosmer,  of  the  44th  Illi- 
nois Volunteers  ;  Lieutenant  Taliaferro,  of  the  1st  Missouri  Artil- 
lery. May  their  relatives  find  a  consolation,  as  their  comrades  do, 
in  the  thought  that  the  death  on  the  battle-field  for  the  righteous 
cause  wins  immortal  laurels  for  the  slain ! 

"  I  can  not  omit  to  mention  Captain  Hescock's  battery,  which, 
on  December  31st,  as  oftentimes  before,  did  splendid  execution. 
The  skill  and  bravery  of  its  officers  is  almost  proverbial,  and  need 
not  be  further  commented  on  by  me  than  to  express  my  heartiest 
gratification  that  they  stood  by  me  as  formerly,  with  right  good- 
will and  telling  courage.  Inclosed,  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  a 
list  of  the  causalties  in  my  brigade. 

"  I  am  sir,  your  obedient  servant,  B.  LAIBOLDT, 

''Lieutenant-Colonel  2d  Missouri  Volunteer  Infantry,  commanding 

"2d  Brigade,  3d  Division,  right  wing. 
"  First  Lieutenant  GEORGE  LEE, 

"Acting  Assistant  Adjutant-General,  3d  Division." 

The  report  of  Colonel  Francis  T.  Sherman,  com- 
manding 1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Army  Corps,  on 
the  Chattanooga,  Ringgold  campaign,  covering  Novem- 
ber 23-27, 1863,  showeth  as  follows,  in  No.  28,  Volume 
XXXI,  Part  II,  pages  194,  195,  196,  thereof: 

"  November  24th. — At  four  A.  M. ,  orders  were  received  to  place 
three  regiments  of  my  brigade  on  the  right  of  the  3d  Brigade  in 
prolongation  of  their  first  line,  behind  hastily  constructed  rifle- 
pits.  In  obedience  to  this  order,  the  44th  Illinois,  36th  Illinois, 
and  the  73d  Illinois,  were  thus  placed,  and  Colonel  W.  W.  Barrett,, 
assigned  to  take  command  of  them,  the  88th  Illinois  and  74th 
Illinois  in  rear  as  support  to  the  above  regiments.  This  disposition 
of  the  brigade  remained  unchanged  until  twelve  noon  of  25th, 
when  the  entire  division  line  was  moved  forward  some  three  hun- 
dred yards.  The  other  regiments  of  my  brigade  were  moved  to 


MISS  JON  A  R  Y  RIDGE—  OFFICIA  L.  659 

the  right  and  rear  of  the  line,  when  they  were  formed  in  the  fol- 
lowing order,  in  four  lines  : 

"First  line:  44th,  36th,  and  73d  Illinois,  Colonel  Barrett 
commanding. 

"  Second  line:  88th  Illinois  and  24th  Wisconsin,  Colonel  Mil- 
ler commanding. 

"Third  line:  22d  Indiana,  Colonel  Gooding  commanding. 

"Fourth  line:  2d  Missouri,  15th  Missouri,  and  74th  Illinois, 
Colonel  Laiboldt  commanding." 

The  report  describes  the  ascent  of  Missionary  Jlidge 
up  to  and  including  the  taking  of  the  enemy's  second 
line  of  works,  then  proceeds  : 

"  Again  the  order  to  advance  was  responded  to  with  cheers, 
the  colors  borne  by  their  brave  and  gallant  bearers  taking  the 
lead,  each  bearer  wishing  to  be  the  first  to  place  the  banner  of  his 
regiment  upon  the  last  of  the  rebel  works.  Slowly  and  surely  we 
pressed  up  the  hill,  overcoming  all  obstacles,  defying  the  enemy  in 
his  efforts  to  check  our  determined  advance.  Officers  and  men  alike 
vied  with  each  other  in  deeds  of  gallantry  and  bravery,  cheering 
one  another  on  to  the  goal  for  which  we  were  contending.  In  this 
manner  we  gradually  worked  our  way  to  the  summit  over  the 
rugged  sides  of  the  ridge,  every  foot  being  contested  by  the  enemy. 
Rocks  were  thrown  upon  our  men  when  the  musket  ceased  to  be 
of  use,  but  to  no  purpose.  When  within  ten  yards  of  the  crest",  our 
men  seemed  to  be  thrown  forward  as  if  by  some  powerful  engine, 
and  the  old  flag  was  planted  firmly  and  surely  on  the  last  line  of 
works  of  the  enemy,  followed  by  the  men  taking  one  battery  of 
artillery.  The  battle  was  won,  and  Mission  Ridge  was  taken,  while 
the  enemy  fled  in  great  disorder  from  before  our  victorious  troops, 
who  took  whole  companies  of  the  rebels  prisoners." 

No  claim  is  made  by  Colonel  Sherman  on  behalf  of 
his  own  regiment,  the  88th  Illinois,  that  its  colors  were 
the  first  planted  on  the  summit  of  the  ridge.  Being 
the  brigade  commander,  it  might  not  have  been  strictly 
proper  for  him  to  have  done  so,  even  if  the  facts  had 
warranted  it — which  (hey  probably  did  not,  the  88lh 
being  in  the  second  line. 


660  COLONEL  F.  T.  SHERMAN'S  REPORT. 

Referring  in  terms  of  praise  to  Colonels  Lniboldt 
and  Miller,  of  the  2d  Missouri  and  36th  Illinois,  the 
report  concludes  : 

"I  take  great  pleasure  in  calling  the  attention  of  the  general 
commanding  to  their  distinguished  services.  I  also  recommend  to 
the  general  commanding,  for  favorable  notice,  Colonel  Jaquess,  73d 
Illinois ;  Colonel  Barrett,  44th  Illinois ;  Colonel  Marsh,  74th  Illi- 
nois; Colonel  Conrad,  15th  Missouri;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Chan- 
dler, 88th  Illinois ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Olson,  36th  Illinois ;  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Beck,  2d  Missouri,  for  meritorious  conduct  and  cool 
courage  they  displayed  in  the  action,  each  one  leading  his  regiment 
in  the  assault,  until  the  ridge  was  taken,  and  by  their  example 
encouraging  and  inspiring  their  men  with  confidence  to  deeds  of 
bravery  and  valor.  I  take  this  opportunity  to  make  favorable 
mention  of  the  officers  attached  to  the  brigade  staff,  Captain  B. 
Carroll,  Lieutenant  John  M.  Turnbull,  Lieutenant  N.  P.  Jackson, 
and  Lieutenant  Morse,  21st  Michigan,  acting  assistant  adjutant- 
general,  for  the  prompt  and  cool  manner  in  which  they  executed 
the  orders  intrusted  to  them." 

From  No.  29,  page  198,  same  volume,  we  copy  the 
following  from  the  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Porter 
C.  Olson,  commanding  the  36th  Illinois,  in  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge  : 

"  Of  the  conduct  of  the  enlisted  men,  the  facts  stated  in  this 
report  form  a  more  brilliant  compliment  than  any  other  that  could 
be  given.  I  must,  however,  mention  the  name  of  the  flag-bearer, 
Private  William  K.  Fall,  of  Company  C,  for  bravery.  He  can 
have  no  superior ;  he  was  among  the  first  to  reach  the  summit  and 
wave  the  Stars  and  Stripes  in  the  face  of  the  enemy." 

From  No.  30,  page  199,  same  volume,  we  copy  from 
the  report  of  Colonel  W.  W.  Barrett,  commanding  the 
44th  Illinois,  and  first  line,  in  which  line  also  were  the 
36th  and  73d  Illinois,  as  follows: 

i  "  At  this  point  Captain  Harnisch,  of  Company. E,  took  the 
colors  which  had  fallen,  and,  while  carrying  them  conspicuously 
up  to  the  third  line  of  works,  was  shot  dead.  The  colors  were  now 


COL  ON  EL  J.  F.  JA  Q  UESS  'S  HEP  OR  T.       661 

taken  up  by  Abraham  Loring,  a  private  of  Company  H,  who 
carried  them  conspicuously  in  front  of  the  whole  line,  and  planted 
them  first  of  any  upon  the  enemy's  works  on  top  of  the 
ridge.  .  .  . 

' '  I  desire  to  make  especial  mention  of  Abraham  Loring,  a  pri- 
vate of  Company  H,  for  his  bravery  in  taking  the  fallen  colors 
and  planting  them  first  upon  the  ridge,  and  Benedict  Waldrogel, 
a  private,  Company  A,  who,  by  killing  a  rebel  captain,  caused  the 
capture  of  an  entire  company  of  the  enemy." 

No.  31,p;iges  200,  201,  same  volume,  we  copy  in  full: 

REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JAMES    F.  JAQUESS,  SEVENTY-THIRD 
ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  73o  REGIMENT,  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY.  \ 
"  CHATTANOOGA,  November  27,  1863.          >    '• 

"  COLONEL, — I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report, 
of  the  part  taken  by  my  regiment  in  the  engagement  of  the  25th : 

"  There -seemed  to  be  a  perfect  confidence  among  officers  and 
men  in  the  success  of  the  move  to  be  made  ;  hence  the  order  for 
forward  was  received  with  unusual  joy  and  delight.  In  making 
the  charge  across  the  valley  and  up  Mission  Ridge,  the  regiment  was 
in  front,  with  the  44th  Illinois  on  the  ri<rht,  and  the  36th  Illinois 
on  the  'left.  There  was  no  faltering.  When  we  reached  the  first 
rifle-pits,  we  halted  but  for  a  moment  to  take  breath  ;  having  ad- 
vanced on  the  run  for  about  one  mile,  the  men  were  quite  ex- 
hausted. It  required  but  a  few  moments,  however,  till  we  were 
ready  for  the  'forward!'  On  we  charged,  passing  the  second  line 
of  works,  dealing  death  to  the  flying  foe.  The  ascent  from  here 
to  the  top  of  the  hill  was  difficult.  The  fallen  trees,  rocks,  and 
underbrush,  though  impeding  our  progress,  afforded  us  some  pro- 
tection, and  over  these  we  climbed  under  the  flying  missiles  of  the 
foe,  eager  to  plant  our  colors  on  the  top  of  the  ridge.  We  were 
among  the  first  that  reached  the  goal. 

"I  have  no  language  equal  to  the  task  of  expressing  my  ad- 
miration of  the  courage  and  noble  daring  of  my  officers  and  men. 
To  make  special  mention  of  any  would  seem  to  do  injustice  to 
others,  but  I  must  be  allowed  to  speak  of  a  few  cases  of  special 
note.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Davidson  was  wounded  at  the  first  rifle- 
pit,  after  having  heroically  and  bravely  cheered  the  men  through 
the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  that  was  poured  out  on  us,  as  we  crossed 
the  open  field  in  reaching  the  enemy's  first  works.  He  was  ordered 


662  COLOR-BEARER  R.  J.  HASTY. 

to  the  rear.  Captain  Bennett,  in  charge  of  Companies  A,  B,  and 
F,  deployed  as  skirmishers,  assisted  by  Captain  Cross,  of  Company 
A,  Lieutenant  Patten,  of  Company  B,  did  a  work  that  entitles 
them  and  their  men  to  lasting  praise  and  honor.  Captain  Kyger, 
of  Company  C,  for  gallantry  in  pushing  forward  the  colors,  and 
Captain  Morgan,  of  Company  H,  and  Lieutenant  Wolgemuth,  of 
the  same  Company,  Lieutenant  Bodman,  commanding  Company 
D,  and  Lieutenant  Van  Winkle,  commanding  Company  K,  deserve 
great  praise  for  courage  and  promptness  in  pushing  forward  their 
respective  companies.  Lieutenant  Tilton,  Adjutant  Wilruer,  and 
'Sergeant-Major  Garrett,  my  special  assistants  alter  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Davidson  was  wounded,  did  noble  service. 

"  Captain  Burroughs,  of  Company  E,  deserves  special  mention, 
he  being  the  only  captain  remaining  of  those  present  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  regiment.  Captain  Burroughs  has  been  in  every 
fight,  and  has  displayed  coolness  and  courage  which  has  won  the 
admiration  of  all.  Corporal  Hasty,  the  bravest  of  the  brave,  who 
carried  the  colors,  has  won  for  himself,  his  cause,  and  his  country, 
everlasting  honors,  and  no  officer  or  soldier  in  this  or  any  other 
part  of  the  army  deserves  more  praise  than  Corporal  Hasty.  He 
will  be  rewarded  with  promotion  in  his  company.  His  associates 
in  the  color-guard  did  nobly. 

"  The  73  I  Illinois  captured  more  prisoners  in  number  than  there 
were  men  in  the  regiment.  The  casualties  in  the  regiment  were: 
thrt-e  privates  killed ;  one  officer — Lieutenant-Colonel  Davidson — 
wounded;  twenty-three  privates  wounded,  some  two  or  three  of 
them  mortally.  The  73d  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers  has  lost 
many  valuable  men  since  it  entered  the  service,  but  is  still  ready 
for  any  emergency  of  march  or  battle.  We  are  ready  to  do  or 
suffer.  I  have  the  honor  to  be  Yours  truly, 

"JAMES  F.  JAQUESS, 
"  Colonel  73d  Illinois  Infantry  Volunteers. 

"  COLONEL  F.  T.  SHERMAN,  Commanding  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division, 
4th  Army  Corps." 

From  No.  32,  pages  202-3,  same  volume,  being  the 
report  of  Jason  Marsh,  colonel  commanding  74th  Illi- 
nois Volunteers,  we  extract  the  following: 

"  Where  all  did  their  duty  so  nobly,  so  bravely,  it  would  be  un- 
just and  impracticable  to  particularize  individuals;  and  yet  I  can 


COLOR-BEARERS  DID  NOBLY.  663 

not  forbear  to  make  mention  of  the  unexampled  bravery  of  my 
•color-bearer,  Sergeant  Allen,  who  kept  the  advance  from  the  first 
until  within  six  or  eight  rods  of  the  crest,  where  he  was  struck  down 
and  disabled.  The  flag  was  then  seized  by  Corporal  S.  C.  Comp- 
ton,  who  bravely  bore  it  erect  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  crest,  when 
he  was  shot  dead.  Private  Hensey,  of  Company  I,  then  seized  it, 
as  by  instinct  of  duty,  and  planted  it  where  it  was  started — on 
the  breast-work,  on  the  very  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge,  which 
they  had  boastingly  but  vainly  regarded  as  inaccessible  and  im- 
pregnable." 

From  No.  33,  pages  203-4,  same  volume,  we  copy 
the  following  from  the  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
•George  W.  Chandler,  commanding  88th  Illinois  : 

"  This  fire,  not  in  any  way  diminishing,  I  ordered  the  colors  for- 
ward on  the  works,  which  a  moment  afterward  were  carried,  and 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  waved  triumphantly  on  Missionary  Ridge,  the 
enemy  being  in  lull  retreat  and  great  confusion.  .  .  . 

"  It  affords  me  great  satisfaction  to  mention  our  brave  color- 
bearer,  Sergeant  John  Cheevers.  Gallantly  he  carried  our  banner, 
planting  it  always  in  the  advance  for  the  regiment  to  rally  on, 
never  letting  it  trail  in  the  dust,  but  waving  it  encouragingly  to 
those  behind,  and  defiantly  to  the  enemy  before  him,  never  falter- 
ing till  he  waved  it  over  the  top  of  Missionary  Ridge." 

From  No.  34,  page  205,  same  volume,  being  the  re- 
port of  M.  Gooding,  colonel  commanding  22d  Indiana 
Volunteers,  we  copy  the  following  : 

"I  will  recommend  Color-Sergeant  Geo.  W.  Gibson,  Company 
C;  Color-Corporals  John  Caton,  Company  F;  and  Theodore  B. 
Ridlen,  Company  H,  to  the  Governor  of  Indiana  for  promotion,  for 
their  gallantry  in  action,  and  for  the  admirable  manner  in  which 
they  escorted  the  colors  up  the  heights  of  Missionary  Ridge." 

There  is  no  mention  of  the  regimental  colors  or  color- 
bearer  in  the  report  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Beck,  com- 
manding the  2d  Missouri  Volunteers. 

From    No.  36.  page    207,  same    volume,  being    the 


OTHER  HONORABLE  MENTION. 

report  of  Captain  Samuel  Rexiriger,  commanding  15th 
Missouri  Volunteers,  we  copy  the  following : 

"...  I  would  particularly  mention  from  personal  view 
the  following  men  for  their  brave  and  gallant  behavior :  William 
Willi,  bugler,  who  kept  continually  in  front,  sounding  his  bugle  to 
advance  ;  Michael  Keck,  our  color-bearer,  and  First  Sergeant  John 
H.  Droste,  Company  I;  and  Corporal  Ulrich  Frei,  Company  E,  for 
keeping  with  the  flag,  most  always  in  front  of  the  whole  storming 
column.  Our  colors  were  the  second  ones  inside  of  the  intrench- 
ments  at  the  summit  of  the  hill.  .  .  ." 

From  No.  37,  page  208,  same  volume,  being  the  re- 
port of  Major  Carl  von  Baumbach,  comimmding  24th 
Wisconsin  Volunteers,  we  copy  the  following  : 

"  .     .     I  would  most  respectfully  mention  Adjutant  Arthur 

McArthur,  Jr.,  for  his  bravery.  When  the  color-sergeant  was  ex- 
hausted, he  carried  the  flag  in  front  of  the  regiment,  cheering  the 
men  to  follow  him  up  the  ridge.  .  .  ." 

From  pages  138-9,  volume  last  referred  to,  we  copy 
the  following  : 

"  HEAD-QUARTERS  4TH  ARMY  CORPS,  BRAGG'S  HEAD-QUARTERS,  \ 
"MISSIONARY  RIDGE,  TENNESSEE,  November  26,  1863.      / 
"  SOLDIERS  OF  THE  4TH  ARMY  COUPS  : 

"The  following  dispatch  from  the  major-general,  commanding 
department,  is  published  for  your  information: 

"•HEAD-QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND,) 
" '  CHATTANOOGA,  TENNESSEE,  November  25, 1863.        ) 

"  '  MAJOR-GENERAL  GRANGER,  Missionary  Ridge  : 

"'Please  accept  my  congratulations  on  the  splendid  success  of 
your  troops,  and  convey  to  them  my  cordial  thanks  for  the  brilliant 
style  in  which  they  carried  the  enemy's  works.  Their  conduct  can 
not  be  too  highly  appreciated.  GEO.  H.  THOMAS, 

"'Major-General  Commanding.' 

"  In  announcing  this  distinguished  recognition  of  your  signal 
gallantry  in  carrying,  through  a  terrible  storm  of  iron,  a  mountain, 
crowned  with  batteries  and  encircled  with  rifle-pits,  I  am  con- 
strained to  express  my  own  admiration  of  your  noble  conduct,  and 
I  am  proud  to  tell  you  that  the  veteran  generals  from  other  fields- 


"THANKS,  SOLDIERS!"  665 

who  witnessed  your  heroic  bearing,  place  your  assault  and  triiimph 
among  the  most  brilliant  achievements  of  the  war.  Thirty  cannou, 
more  than  three  thousand  prisoners,  and  several  battle-flags  taken 
from  the  enemy,  are  among  your  trophies.  Thanks,  soldiers! 
You  made  that  day  a  glorious  page  of  history. 

"G.  GRANGER,  Major-General  Commanding." 

From  the  foregoing,  it  appears  the  22d  Indiana  was 
for  a  brief  period  of  time  in  our  brigade.  Below 
find  the  report  of  Colonel  Laiboldt,  our  brigade  com- 
mander, on  the  campaign,  September  2-29,  1863.  It 
appears  from  this  that  Colonel  Jaquess  made  a  report 
of  the  operations  of  the  73d  on  same  camp«ign,  but  it 
is  not  on  file  in  the  War  Records  Publication  Office. 
Later  reports  could  not  be  obtained  without  much 
trouble,  involving  expense  and  delay : 

REPORT   OF   COLONEL   BERNARD    LAIBOLDT,  SECOND    MIS- 
SOURI INFANTRY,  COMMANDING  SECOND  BRIGADE. 

"  HEAD-UITARTERS  2o  BRIGADE,  SD  DIVISION,  20m  ARMY  CORPS,  \ 
U!N  TRENCHES  BEFORE  CHATTANOOGA,  September  29,  1863.    J 

"  SIR, — In  compliance  to  circular  from  corps  head-quarters,  I 
have  the  honor  to  submit  to  you  the  following  report  of  the  move- 
ments of  my  brigade  since  crossing  the  Tennessee  River,  and  of  the 
part  it  took  during  the  late  engagement: 

"  After  crossing  the  Tennessee  River,  on  September  2,  1863,  we 
proceeded  to  Hog  Jaw  Valley,  from  where  we  ascended  the  Rac- 
coon Mountain  on  the  5th,  and  marched  to  Gunther's  Mill. 

"On  the  6th  we  marched  over  to  Trenton,  on  Lookout  Creek,  and 
on  the  7th  to  Stevens's  Mill,  on  Stuart's  Creek. 

"On  the  10th  we  proceeded  through  the  Lookout  and  Will's 
Valleys  to  Rock  Creek,  and  on  the  llth  reached  Alpine,  Georgia. 

"On  the  13ih,  returning,  we  crossed  the  Lookout  Mountain, 
and  camped  on  Little  River.  Reached  Stevens's  Mill  on  the  14th. 
Left  there  at  two  P.  M.  on  the  15th,  and  arrived  at  Johnson's 
Creek  at  six  P.  M.  Ascending  Lookout  Mountain  on  the  16th, 
we  took  position  in  McLemore's  Cove,  which  position  we  held  till 
the  18th.  Starting  at  nine  A.  M.  that  day,  we  marched  to  Lee's 
Mill  and  Pond  Spring. 

"  On  the  19th  we  proceeded  to  Crawfish  Spring,  where  we  ar- 


666  REPORT  ON  CHICKAMAUGA. 

rived  about  one  P.  M.  My  brigade  was  the  first  formed  in  line 
of  battle  on  the  crest  of  the  hill,  from  where  it  was  ordered  to  take 
position  near  Gordon's  Mills,  and  to  guard  a  ford  of  Chickamauga 
Oeek.  At  about  4.30  P.  M.  my  brigade  was  ordered  to  the  battle- 
field to  support  General  Davis. 

"On  arriving  there,  a  line  of  battle  was  formed  along  a  road, 
and  one  regiment  ordered  to  advance,  but  the  enemy  having  already 
been  driven  by  Colonel  Bradley's  brigade,  my  brigade  took  no  further 
part  in  the  struggle  of  that  day,  and  kept  their  position  until  near 
•daybreak  of  the  20th,  when  we  were  ordered  to  the  extreme  right 
of  the  right  wing,  where  the  brigade  took  a  position  on  a  hill  near 
the  Chattanooga  road,  having  Colonel  Bradley's  brigade  as  reserve. 

"At  11.30  o'clock  we  were  ordered  toward  the  center  to  sup- 
port General  Davis,  and  took  a  very  favorable  position  on  the  slope 
of  a  hill.  After  a  short  interval,  when  General  Davis's  division 
was  already  routed,  Major-General  McCook  ordered  the  brigade  to 
charge  in  the  rear  of  the  flying  troops,  and  promptly  obeying  the 
•command,  the  position  on  the  hill-slope  was  abandoned,  and  the 
regiments,  with  charged  bayonets,  rushed  into  the  thicket  of  woods, 
parting  them  yet  [farther]  from  General  Davis's  command,  unable 
to  fire  effectually  without  injuring  our  own  men.  Thrown  in  con- 
fusion by  the  fleeing  troops,  and  finally  exposed  to  the  scathing  fire 
of  the  enemy  in  front,  as  also  a  fire  in  the  flank,  my  troops  gave 
way,  and  after  rallying  them  once  more,  but  not  being  able  to  hold 
a  position,  I  fell  back  to  the  mountains,  where,  after  the  lapse  of 
about  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  I  succeeded  in  collecting  the  re- 
maining portion. 

"  You  will  please  find  annexed  the  list  of  casualties  during 
the  engagement. 

"In  connection  with  the  official  report  of  the  participation  of 
my  brigade  in  the  late  engagement,  I  have  the  honor  to  remark 
that  the  commanding  officers  of  the  2d  Missouri  Volunteers  and  the 
73d  Illinois  Volunteers  make  no  especial  mention  in  their  respective 
reports  of  cases  of  courage  and  bravery,  as,  in  their  opinion,  offi- 
cers and  men  alike  sustained  their  former  reputation  of  true  cour- 
age and  unflinching  valor. 

"  The  commanding  officer  of  the  15th  Missouri  Volunteers  men- 
tions especially  his  adjutant,  First  Lieutenant  Friedrich  Lipps,  and 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  44th  Illinois  Infantry,  Major  Sabin  ; 
Captains  Freysleben  and  Knappen,  and  Acting  Adjutant  First  Lieu- 
tenant Weyhrich,  for  gallant  conduct.  Lieutenant  Schueler,  com- 


LAIBOLDT'S  REPORT— NOTE.  667 

manding  Battery  G,  1st  Missouri  Artillery,  mentions  Second  Lieu- 
tenant John  Miller  and  Sergeant  S.  H.  Jennings  for  brave  behavior. 

"  I  take  great  pleasure  to  state  that  Lieutenant-Colonel  A.  Beck, 
2d  Missouri  Volunteers;  Colonel  Conrad,  15th  Missouri  Volunteers; 
Colonel  Barrett,  44th  Illinois  Volunteers ;  and  Colonel  Jaquess,  73d 
Illinois  Volunteers,  and  First  Lieutenant  Schueler,  commanding 
Battery  G,  1st  Missouri  Artillery,  entitled  themselves,  by  their  un- 
flinching courage  and  gallant  behavior  during  the  engagement,  to 
the  highest  commendations.  The  company  of  sharp-shooters 
(Captain  Ernst)  did  the  work  assigned  to  them  faithfully  ;  while 
the  members  of  my  staff.  Major  Spinzig,  brigade  surgeon  ;  Captain 
Fuelle,  acting  assistant  adjutant-general ;  Captain  Morgan,  brigade 
inspector ;  Captain  Carroll,  provost-marshal ;  Captain  Gale,  assistant 
quartermaster  and  commissary  of  subsistence ;  First  Lieutenant 
Neudorff,  aid-de-camp;  and  Second  Lieutenant  Heydtman,  topo- 
graphical engineer,  merit  my  acknowJedgment  of  their  zeal  and 
activity  during  the  campaign,  and  in  battle.  I  feel  it  incumbent 
on  me  to  especially  mention  Captain  B.  A.  Carroll  and  Lieutenant 
NeudorfT,  whose  untiring  efforts  in  assisting  me  to  rally  the  bri- 
gade I  shall  always  thankfully  remember. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  sign,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  B.  LAIBOLDT,  Colonel  Commanding  2d  Brigade, 

"  3d  Division,  20th  Army  Corps. 

"CAPTAIN  GEORGE  LEE, 

"Assistant  Adjuiant-Geiieral,  3d  Division,  20th  Army  Corps." 

NOTE.— The  necessity  of  conforming  pretty  closely  to  the  plan  outlined  in 
table  of  contents,  and  the  unexpectedly  large  proportions  this  work  has 
attained,  obliged  us  to  omit  mention  of  many  matters  we  had  intended  to  notice 
in  chapter  ix,  among  these  being  :  1st.  The  narrow  escape  of  the73dfrom  the  gall- 
ing fire  of  a  rebel  battery  while  lying  in  the  railroad  cut  at  Stone  River,  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862.  Our  escape  was  due  to  the  "weather  eye  "  of  Sergeant-Major  Castle, 
who,  immediately  on  noticing  the  posting  of  the  battery,  moved  the  regiment 
out  of  cut.  2d.  The  request  of  Mrs.  General  George  H.  Thomas  that  Opdycke's 
brigade  make  a  charge,  on  the  occasion  of  the  review  of  the  4th  Corps  at  Nash- 
ville, Tennessee,  in  May,  1865.  This,request  was  further  proof  of  recognition 
accorded  by  General  Thomas  to  our  brigade,  for  services  at  Franklin,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1864.  3d.  Detached  service.  Many  officers  and  men  of  the  73d  did  duty 
at  times  away  from  the  regiment,  viz. :  Dr.  Pond,  Captains  Pratt  and  Morgan, 
and  Quartermaster  Slavens.  4th.  Pensions.  5th.  Anecdotes  were  omitted,  as 
were  also  some  accounts  of  foraging  and  scouting  ventures.  6th.  Some  sketches 
are  shown  only  in  part.  Cammire's  account  was  shortened  to  the  extent  that 
the  statement  of  his  experience  while  hid  in  a  hogshead,  at  same  time  being 
sought  after,  is  omitted.  Our  thanks  are  extended  to  printers  and  binders  for 
good  quality  of  material  and  excellence  of  mechanical  execution  of  this  work, 
and  to  Captain  Castle  for  trouble  taken  in  keeping  a  "weather  eye'1  lookout 
for  errors,  to  the  end  that  very  few,  if  any,  might  appear  in  these  pages.  His 
experience  with  a  section  of  wagon-train  in  October,  1862,  doubtless  increased 
the  capacity  of  that  eye.  Chapters  viii,  ix,  and  x  of  t^iis  history  have  been  elec- 
trotyped.  W.  H.  N. 


668  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 


CHAPTER    X. 

SELECTIONS   FROM    THE    ORIGINAL    AND    REVISED    REPORTS   OP   THE 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL   OF   THE    STATE    OF    ILLINOIS — WOUNDED 

CHAPLAIN    JAQUESS'S    STATEMENT THE    END. 

ALL  who  have  read  the  preceding  chapters  will 
doubtless  be  interested  in  what  is  recorded  concerning 
the  73d  Illinois  Volunteers,  in  the  reports  of  the  ad- 
jutant-general of  the  Slate. 

Many  who  served  for  a  time  with  the  regiment, 
and  perhaps  a  few  who  served  the  full  term  of  enlist- 
ment, have  never  read  what  we  copy  herein,  and  make 
a  part  of  this  history. 

We  should  regard  this  history  as  unfinished,  if  we 
failed  to  incorporate  in  its  pages  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Davidson's  response  to  the  request  of  Adjutant-General 
Haynie  for  a  history  of  the  regiment.  When  there 
was  so  much  that  might  be  written  to  the  credit  of 
the  command,  it  must  have  been  a  difficult  undertaking 
to  write  as  briefly,  and  yet  write  so  much  as  did  our 
lieutenant-colonel  in  the  very  condensed  sketch  we 
present  below  : 

MEMORANDA  OF  SEVENTY-THIRD  REGIMENT. 

"  SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS,  March  19,  1867. 
"GENERAL  HAYNIE,  ADJUTANT  GENERAL  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS: 

''GENERAL, — Having  no  records  of  the  regiment  with  me,  a 
history  would  be  impossible.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Camp 
Butler,  State  of  Illinois,  in  August,  1862,  and  immediately  became 
a  part  of  General  Buell's  army.  Fought  nobly  at  Perryville. 


FROM  ILLINOIS  ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  REPORT.    669 

Finished  under  General  Thomas  at  Nashville.  The  73d  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry  was  in  every  battle  fought  by  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  from  October,  1862,  until  the  rout  of  General  Hood's 
army  at  Nashville,  and  the  winding  up  of  the  whole  matter.  The 
only  report  I  can  make,  General,  is,  that  our  dead  are  found  at 
Perryville,  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  away 
in  East  Tennessee,  and  then  in  the  succession  of  battles  from  Chat- 
tanooga to  the  fall  of  Atlanta: 

"  And  when  Sherman  pushed  down  South,  the  73d  remained 
with  General  Thomas.  It  formed  part  of  Opdycke's  brigade  at 
Franklin,  which  saved  the  day  and  gave  him  his  star,  and  lost  its 
last  man  killed  in  driving  Hood's  army  from  Nashville.  It  has 
more  than  once  been  complimented  by  its  generals.  It  lost  heavily 
in  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  and  Franklin. 
It  had  two  majors  and  two  adjutants  killed,  and  nearly  every  offi- 
cer of  the  regiment  wounded,  some  one  time,  several  of  them  many 
times ;  but  as  to  the  number  of  killed,  I  know  not. 

"  We  left  the  State  one  of  the  largest,  and  returned  one  of  the 
smallest  regiments.  Her  officers  and  men — and  especially  the  men — 
have  never  been  surpassed  for  bravery,  endurance,  and  devotion 
to  the  country.  I  believe  that  nearly  two-thirds  of  the  organization 
wasted  away  either  by  disease,  death,  or  battles  during  the  three 
years'  service.  General,  I  have  the  honor  to  be  very  respectfully 
your  humble  servant,  JAMES  I.  DAVIDSON, 

"  Late  Lieutenant-Colonel  73d  Illinois  Volunteers." 

The  foregoing  history  appears  in  the  original  roster 
of  officers  of  Illinois  regiments,  which  was  prepared  by 
the  adjutant-general  of  Illinois,  of  date  1867.  In  very 
brief  space,  the  history  touches  upon  nearly  every 
phase  of  experience  of  the  regiment  during  three  years' 
service. 

Twenty  years — or  nearly  that — later,  the  Legisla- 
ture of  Illinois  authorized  a  revision  of  the  reports  of 
the  adjutant-general.  Many  errors  were  found  in  the 
reports  as  originally  prepared,  and  the  survivors  of  the 
several  regiments  were  called  upon  to  correct  these 
errors,  and  supply  omissions,  if  any,  in  the  rosters  of 


670  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS. 

names,  and  in  the  remarks  opposite,  which  account  for 
the  men  respectively. 

In  these  revised  reports,  a  space  of  not  exceeding 
four  pnges  was  allotted  for  a  sketch  of  each  regiment 
or  organization.  Several  corrections  were  made  in  the 
roster  of  names  of  soldiers  of  the  73d,  and  some  addi- 
tions were  made  to  the  remarks,  and  perhaps  a  portion 
of  the  remarks  appearing  in  the  original  reports  were 
omitted  in  the  revised  issue.  Some  two  or  three  or 
more  sketches  of  the  services  of  the  73d  were  pre- 
pared and  sent  to  the  adjutant-general. 

The  sketch  selected  by  him  and  incorporated  in  his 
last  reports,  reads  substantially  ns  follows: 

HISTORY  OF  SEVENTY-THIRD  INFANTRY. 

"The  73d  Infantry  was  recruited  from  the  counties  of  Adams, 
Christian,  Hancock,  Jackson,  Logan,  Piatt,  Pike,  Sangamon,  Taze- 
well,  and  Vermilion.  It  was  mustered  into  service  at  Camp  But- 
ler, August  21,  1862,  and  numbered  nine  hundred  strong.  It 
moved  almost  immediately  for  the  front,  Colonel  Jaquess  com- 
manding. It  reached  Louisville,  August  25th. 

"  Camp  Jaquess  was  the  first  resting-place  of  the  regiment  in 
Kentucky.  The  first  move  of  the  regiment  after  reaching  Louis- 
ville was  to  Camp  Yates.  The  73d  was  first  brigaded  with  the  100th 
Illinois  Infantry,  and  the  79th  and  88th  Indiana.  It  bore  its  part 
in  covering  the  retreat  of  the  forces,  which  had  been  defeated  in  an 
engagement  at  Richmond,  Kentucky  ;  also  in  the  movement  by  rail 
from  Louisville  to  Cincinnati  and  Coviugton,  to  assist  in  resisting 
an  invasion  by  Kirby  Smith's  forces.  The  regiment  had  acquired 
such  proficiency  in  the  simpler  evolutions  of  the  drill,  that  in  march- 
ing through  Cincinnati,  spectators  were  surprised  to  learn  it  was 
not  an  old  regiment.  Smith's  invasion  not  materializing  to  any 
great  extent,  the  73d,  with  other  forces,  returned  from  Covington 
to  Louisville  the  latter  part  of  September. 

"  A  reorganization  of  the  army  placed  the  73d  in  a  brigade 
with  the  44th  Illinois  and  the  2d  and  15th  Missouri.  This  brigade, 
under  Colonel  Laiboldt,  2d  Missouri,  was  assigned  to  Sheridan's 
division,  and  remained  in  it  until  Sheridan  was  ordered  East  in  the 


SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS.  671 

spring  of  1864.  October  1,  1862,  the  army  under  Buell  started  in 
pursuit  of  Bragg.  On  the  eighth  of  that  month,  military  opera- 
tions in  Kentucky  culminated  in  the  battle  of  Perry  ville.  A  little 
after  noon  on  this  date  the  73d  was  posted  in  an  exposed  position,, 
one  within  easy  range  of  a  Confederate  battery.  The  withdrawal 
of  the  regiment  to  the  main  line  in  an  opportune  moment,  no- 
doubt  saved  it  from  severe  loss.  At  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  the 
73d  became  engaged,  and  so  continued  until  after  four  o'clock,  de- 
livering and  receiving  a  heavy  fire.  This  battle  over,  and  Bragg 
getting  off  with  his  army  and  supplies,  the  Union  army  pursuing 
only  as  far  as  Crab  Orchard,  a  change  in  the  direction  of  the  latter 
was  ordered,  and  on  November  7th  it  reached  Nashville,  Tennes- 
see. In  the  meantime,  Rosecrans  had  relieved  Buell  in  command 
of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

"  From  the  time  the  regiment  left  Kentucky,  up  and  subsequent 
to  the  movement  on  Murfreesboro,  it  lost  a  number  of  men  by  dis- 
ability and  from  disease  ;  quite  a  number  died  at  Bowling  Green, 
and  many  more  at  Nashville.  The  regiment  broke  camp  December 
25th,  preparatory  to  moving  on  Stone  River.  The  brigade,  which 
at  Mill  Creek  had  been  placed  under  the  command  of  General 
Schaefer,  did  not  participate  in  any  of  the  preliminary  skirmishing 
at  Stone  River.  On  December  31st,  however,  opportunity  was 
afforded  for  every  regiment  to  bear  a  part.  General  Schaefer  was 
killed  before  noon.  Colonel  Jaquess  was  with  his  regiment  at 
Perryville,  but  was  not  at  Stone  River,  so  the  73d  was  commanded 
by  Major  William  A.  Presson.  During  the  day,  the  regiment  was 
in  several  severe  conflicts,  and  fully  established  its  reputation  for 
courage. 

"  It  was  in  the  opening  of  the  campaign  against  Tullahoma  and 
Chattanooga,  to  which  points  Bragg's  forces  had  retreated.  June 
23,  1863,  was  the  date  on  which  the  summer  campaign  was  act- 
ively initiated  on  the  part  of  the  Infantry.  At  Fairfield  and 
Estill  Springs,  the  73d  was  present,  but  was  not  called  into  action. 
Crossing  Elk  River,  the  first  stop  was  at  Cowan  Station.  After  a 
few  days'  rest,  the  division  proceeded  through  Cumberland  Tunnel 
to  Stevenson,  Alabama,  where  it  remained  until  September  2d  ; 
thence  it  moved  to  Bridgeport,  and,  crossing  the  Tennessee  River, 
joined  in  the  movement  on  Alpine,  which  flanked  the  enemy  out 
of  Chattanooga.  The  next  hard  marching  was  in  the  concentra- 
tion of  the  Federal  forces  to  meet  those  of  the  enemy  at  Chicka- 
mau^a.  Colonel  Laiboldt  was  in  command  of  the  brigade,  and 


672         ADJUTANT-GENERALS  REVISED  REPORTS. 

Colonel  Jaquess  of  the  regiment.  The  terrible  strain  of  this 
memorable  battle  being  over,  the  remnants  of  regiments  and  bri- 
gades fell  back  to  Chattanooga.  Fro^  the  latter  part  of  Septem- 
ber to  the  24th  of  November  the  Union  forces  were  organizing  and 
preparing  for  the  brilliant  achievements  at  Lookout  Mountain  and 
Missionary  Ridge. 

"  Missionary  Ridge  was  the  theater  of  operatiun  for  the  73d  in 
the  conflict  in  November,  1863.  In  this  engagement  the  conduct 
of  the  regiment  fully  merited  the  praise  bestowed  in  congratulatory 
orders.  Next  came  the  campaign  into  East  Tennessee,  to  the 
relief  of  Burnside.  Dandridge  was  visited  by  the  73d  and  other 
regiments.  This  campaign  was  characterized  by  hard,  slavish 
marching,  and  scant  rations.  East  Tennessee  having  been  re- 
deemed, the  Union  army  returned  to  Chattanooga;  the  73d  en- 
camping at  Cleveland.  May  3, 1864,  the  Atlanta  campaign  opened. 
The  reorganization  of  the  army  after  Chickamauga  placed  the 
regiment  in  1st  Brigade,  2d  Division,  4th  Corps.  In  vicinity  of 
Catoosa  Springs,  the  whiz  of  the  enemy's  bullets  was  first  heard. 
At  Rocky-faced  Ridge,  was  treated  to  some  of  the  same  kind  of 
music.  No  chance  to  reciprocate  at  either  of  these  two  places ;  but 
at  the  latter,  some  sharp-shooters,  specially  detailed  from  the  regi- 
ment, did  good  work.  Some  skirmishing  near  Dalton,  and  between 
there  and  Resaca. 

"May  14th,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Resaca.  May  17th, 
regiment  bore  a  part  in  the  action  at  Adairsville,  and  two  days 
later  in  skirmishes  about  Kingston.  At  latter  place,  two  or  three 
days'  rest  were  obtained.  Starting  forward  again,  and  coming  in 
contact  with  the  enemy,  the  month  of  June,  1864,  chronicled  the 
following  engagements,  in  most  of  which  the  73d  participated : 
Burnt  Hickory,  Pine  and  Lost  Mountains,  New  Hope  Church,  and 
Kenesaw  Mountain.  In  the  assault  on  Kenesaw  Mountain,  the 
regiment  suffered  comparatively  little,  owing  to  the  nature  of 
ground.  Was  under  fire  July  4,  1864 ;  one  man  killed.  Reached 
Chattahoochie  River  about  July  6th,  encamping  above  Vining's 
Station.  July  9th,  made  an  expedition  to  Roswell,  the  seat  of 
cotton  factories,  which  were  destroyed.  Returned  to  Yiniug's  Sta- 
tion, July  12th.  Crossed  Chattahoochie  River,  July  13th.  One 
week  later,  participated  in  the  battle  of  Peach-tree  Creek.  Next 
came  the  skirmishing,  the  slow  advances  and  delays,  necessary  to 
the  siege  or  investment  of  Atlanta.  The  enemy  evacuating  and 
retreating  from  Atlanta,  the  engagements  at  Jonesboro  and  Love- 


FRANKLIN  ONCE  MORE.  673 

joy's  Station  occurred.  In  neither  of  these  was  the  regiment  act- 
ively engaged,  though  under  fire  in  both. 

"Arrived  at  Atlanta  September  8th.  About  September  20th, 
the  4th  Corps  returned  by  rail  to  Chattanooga.  Made  reconnois- 
sauce  in  force  to  Alpine  Valley.  Returned  to  Chattanooga ;  thence 
by  rail  to  Huutsville,  Alabama.  Then  came  the  hard  marching, 
and  the  race  with  Hood's  army  for  Nashville.  Bore  a  part  in  the 
skirmishing  near  Columbia,  Tennessee,  south  of  Duck  River,  and 
crossed  said  river  the  night  of  November  28th.  Since  starting  out 
in  May,  the  brigade  had  had  three  or  four  different  commanders, 
including  Laiboldt,  F.  Sherman,  and  N.  Kimball.  It  was  now 
under  Emerson  Opdycke,  colonel  125th  Ohio.  From  Duck  River 
the  brigade  fell  back  to  Spring  Hill,  and,  being  pressed  by  the 
enemy,  skirmished  a  good  part  of  the  way. 

"  Participated  in  the  action  at  Spring  Hill,  the  afternoon  of 
November  29th.  Stood  picket  that  night,  as  on  the  previous  night 
at  Duck  River.  With  the  break  of  day,  November  30th,  trouble 
commenced.  Being  already  deployed,  the  brigade  skirmished 
nearly  the  whole  distance  from  Spring  Hill  to  Franklin.  Arriving 
within  one  mile  and  a  half  of  Franklin,  brigade  was  relieved  from 
skirmish-line,  and  marched  directly  into  suburbs  of  town,  passing 
on  the  way  the  troops  posted  in  front  of,  and  also  those  occupying 
the  works,  and  halted  in  position  behind  Carter's  Hill.  Fortunate, 
indeed,  was  it  for  the  Union  forces  that  a  brigade  was  posted  there. 
At  a  critical  moment — a  crisis  in  the  battle — this  brigade  was 
thrust  into  the  '  imminent  and  deadly  breach,'  and  undoubtedly 
averted  an  overwhelming  disaster.  At  the  point  of  the  bayonet, 
the  breach  was  repaired,  and  the  line  of  battle  maintained  unbroken 
until  late  at  night,  although  the  enemy  repeatedly  dashed  wildly 
and  furiously  against  it.  Withdrawing  from  Franklin,  and  crossing 
the  Harpeth,  Nashville  was  reached,  December  1,  1864,  about  one 
o'clock  P.  M.  With  Opdycke's  brigade,  or  part  of  it,  here  was 
two  nights'  picketing  in  succession,  in  face  of  the  enemy,  nearly 
two  days'  skirmishing,  participation  in  two  battles,  and  the  falling 
back  from  Duck  River  to  Nashville,  without  any  sleep  that  was  at 
all  restful. 

"The  73d  took  part  both  days  (December  15  and  16,  1864), 
in  battles  at  Nashville,  in  afternoon  of  16th,  making,  with  many 
other  regiments,  its  last  bayonet  charge,  which  was  successful. 
Joined  in  pursuit  of  Hood,  going  to  Pulaski,  Tennessee,  at  which 
place,  about  December  23,  1864,  was  last  exposed  to  the  enemy's 

43 


674         ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S  REVISED  REPORTS. 

fire.  Proceeded  to  Huntsville,  Alabama,  arriving  January  5,  1865. 
March  28,  1865,  went  by  rail  to  Blue  Springs,  East  Tennessee,  re- 
maining there  until  receiving  orders  to  return  to  Nashville.  Was 
mustered  out  of  service  at  Nashville,  June  12,  1865,  and  a  few 
days  later  went  to  Springfield,  Illinois,  on  the  same  train  with  the 
79th  Illinois,  to  receive  pay  and  final  discharge. 

"  The  following  table  shows  the  engagements  in  which  the  reg- 
iment participated,  as  well  as  the  casualties  in  each : 


ENGAGEMENTS. 

Killed. 

Wound'd 

Died  of 
wouuds. 

Cap- 
tured. 

Perry  ville  

1 

10 

6 

12 

g 

5 

1 

12 

17 

11 

31 

Missionary  Ridge  ••••  

3 

3 

1 

Resacft  

3 

2 

1 

] 

3 

1 

Peach-tree   Creek  

1 

3 

Franklin  

9 

4 

2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

Officers  

4 

4 

1 

1 

^Vouiided  battle  not  stated  

59 

17 

•Totals         

52 

112 

45 

34 

Died  in  prison  

16 

102 

Died  of  wounds  

45 

Killed  

52 

Total  loss  by  death 

215 

"  Each  of  the  fifty-two  officers  and  men  represented  in  first 
column  was  killed  outright.  Of  the  forty-five  who  died  of  wounds, 
fully  one-third  died  the  same  day,  or  within  twenty-four  hours 
from  time  wounds  were  received.  Of  the  sixty-seven  wounded 
who  survived,  the  larger  number  were  discharged.  Many  suffered 
amputation  of  either  an  arm,  leg,  or  foot. 

"  In  addition  to  the  battles  named  in  the  above  table,  the  reg- 
iment actively  participated  in  the  following  named  actions :  Pine 
Mountain,  Lost  Mountain,  New  Hope  Church,  Marietta,  Jones- 
boro,  Lovejoy  Station,  and  Spring  Hill.  In  these  actions  the  greater 
number  of  the  fifty-nine  wounded,  '  battle  not  stated,'  received 


HELPFULNESS  OF  CORRECT  DATA.  675 

those  wounds.  Quite  a  number  of  officers  were  slightly  wounded, 
in  many  cases  the  wound  not  sufficiently  serious  to  necessitate 
leaving  the  field  or  skirmish-line." 

This  sketch  contains  one  or  two  trifling  errors — not 
errors  of  fact,  but  of  date.  According  to  the  fore- 
going, the  regiment  crossed  Duck  River,  on  the  move- 
ment from  Columbia  to  Nashville,  on  the  night  of 
November  28,  1864 ;  whereas  it  crossed  said  stream, 
the  night  of  November  27th,  one  night  earlier. 

In  chapter  vi,  we  find  abundant  concurring  testi- 
mony, showing  that  the  date  last  mentioned  is  the  cor- 
rect one.  The  other  error  consists  in  representing  the 
regiment  as  standing  picket  the  night  of  November  28, 
1864,  whereas,  a  portion  of  it  only  did  picket  duty 
during  the  night  of  the  28th.  That  there  were  not 
many  more  and  greater  mistakes  is  surprising. 

In  preparing  this  history,  we  have  found  that  a  re- 
liable diary  was  a  very  great  help,  indispensable  indeed, 
when  the  purpose  has  constantly  been  to  discover  and 
tell  the  simple  truth.  We  have  the  utmost  confidence 
in  the  correctness  of  all  data  we  have  made  use  of,  and 
can  therefore  fully  vouch  for  the  truth  of  the  record  which 
this  book  contains.  Our  personal  knowledge  and  recol- 
lection of  the  events  themselves  also  enables  us  to  do 
this,  if  it  were  necessary. 

We  have  now  conformed  to  the  plan  originally  out- 
lined for  this  work.  We  have  traversed  the  whole 
ground  which  the  varied  experience  and  service  of  the 
regiment  warranted  us  in  entering  upon.  Nearly  every 
phase  and  shade  of  an  American  soldier's  life  has  been 
strongly  suggested,  if  not  fully  described  herein.  Be- 
ginning with  its  earliest  organization,  we  have  en- 
deavored to  trace  the  history  of  the  regiment  through 


676  SEVENTY-THIRD  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY. 

all  the  successive  steps  and  stages  of  its  existence,  up 
to  and  including  its  final  disbandment. 

We  have  not  claimed  more  for  the  regiment  than  is 
justly  its  due.  What  the  regiment  is  entitled  to  in  the 
line  of  credit  or  recognition  of  services  rendered,  we 
have  claimed,  do  now  claim,  and  will  continue  to  claim 
and  insist  upon.  No  controversy  has  been  sought  with 
the  survivors  of  other  regiments  over  the  question  as  to 
what  command  did  the  most,  marched  the  farthest,  got 
there  first,  or  fought  the  hardest.  We  have  had  no  de- 
sire or  disposition,  and  consequently  manifested  none, 
to  trench  upon  the  rights  of  our  companion  or  sister 
regiments.  There  was  no  necessity  for  this.  Of  things 
done,  the  73d  Illinois  has  enough  in  store,  gained  by 
rightful  conquest,  to  bank  upon  and  serve  as  a  stock  in 
trade.  Our  regiment  does  not  need  to  borrow  a  record, 
or  snatch  a  single  strand,  or  thread  of  glory,  that  be- 
longs to  another. 

As  one  comrade  touched  elbows  and  stood  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  another,  so  one  company  stood  by  and 
supplemented  the  efforts  of  another.  Adding  or  re- 
enforcing  soldier  by  soldier,  squad  by  squad,  company 
by  company,  regiment  by  regiment,  brigade  by  brigade, 
division  by  division,  and  corps  by  corps,  aggregating 
and  concentrating  strength  to  strength  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  a  common  purpose,  is  what  achieved  the 
final  victory.  Jealousy  and  dissension  in  the  war-time 
too  long  prevented  co-operation,  and  hindered  and  de- 
layed success.  It  ill  befits  us  now  to  wrangle  and 
dispute,  or  grow  angry,  or  become  alienated  and  es- 
tranged by  discussing  differences  more  imaginary  than 
real.  We  must  tolerate  differences,  as  all  can  not  see 
the  same  thing  in  the  same  light,  or  from  the  same 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS.  677 

stand-point.  However  much  we  may  indulge  in  dispu- 
tation and  controversy  concerning  the  events  of  the 
past,  facts  will  remain  unchanged.  Controversy  must 
cease,  and  truth  will  stand.  As  envy  and  jealousy  and 
passion  subside,  as  doubt  and  error  disappear,  the  truth 
will  be  revealed,  and  stand  out  more  prominently,  and 
become  unquestioned  and  unassailed.  Claim  your  own 
and  no  more,  and  you  will  come  out  all  right  in  the 
end,  is  a  good  rule  to  adhere  to  when  considering  the 
questions  and  events  of  the  past  with  which  we  have 
been  connected,  and  in  some  small  degree  helped  to 
shape. 

In  closing,  we  can  only  say  that  we  have  made  the 
best  use  we  could  of  the  means  at  our  command  in 
preparing  this  history  of  the  73d  Regiment  of  Illinois 
Infantry  Volunteers.  The  survivors  of  the  organization 
owed  it  to  their  fallen  comrades  to  gather  up  the  shreds 
and  fragments  of  its  history,  and  preserve  and  hand  them 
down  to  their  children.  Those  of  us  yet  living  owed 
it  to  our  comrades  who  have  fallen  to  do  this.  We 
owed  it  to  our  comrades  who  fell  in  battle,  also  to  our 
comrades  who  have  fallen  since  in  the  struggle  of  life. 
Of  all  whose  names  are  borne  on  the  rolls  of  the  regi- 
ment, it  is  safe  to  say  the  majority  have  now  fallen. 
A  few  remain  to  wrestle  and  toil,  with  hand  or  brain, 
in  the  battle  which  will  not  cease  until  the  participants 
in  it  shall  also  fall.  These,  our  fallen  ones,  have  gone 
before,  and  will  not  return.  We  shall  continue  to 
follow  on.  Let  us  hope  they  have  reached  a  camp 
where  all  is  serenity  and  peace.  God  grant  that  we 
may  all  meet  them  in  that  camp,  to  dwell  and  rest  with 
them  forever! 

Survivors,  let  us  always  strive    to   prove  ourselves 


678      •  BATTLE  POEM— "WOUNDED." 

worthy  of  the  noble  record  our  regiment  made  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion.  If  we  succeed,  it  shall  be  well. 
We  are  loath  to  leave  you,  but  we  must ;  and  with  best 
wishes  for  each  one  of  you,  we  bid  you,  Hail !  and  fare- 
well !  till  we  shall  meet  again. 

WOUNDED. 

The  following  is  one  of  the  finest  battle  poems  produced  by  an 
American.  Its  author  is  J.  W.  Watson,  of  New  York  City,  who,  it  is 
claimed  by  a  New  Orleans  lady,  in  the  Crescent,  is  the  author  of  "  The 
Beautiful  Snow:" 

Steady,  boys,  steady ! 

Keep  your  arms  ready ! 
God  only  knows  whom  we  may  meet  here. 

Don't  let  me  be  taken, 

I'd  rather  awaken 
To-morrow,  in — no  matter  where, 
Than  lie  in  that  foul  prison  hole — over  there. 

Step  slowly ! 
Speak  lowly! 

These  rocks  may  have  life. 
Lay  me  down  in  this  hollow ; 

We  are  out  of  the  strife. 

By  heavens !  the  f oemeu  may  track  me  in  blood  ; 
For  this  hole  in  my  breast  is  outpouring  a  flood. 
No !  no  surgeon  for  me,  he  can  give  me  no  aid  ; 
The  surgeon  I  want  is  a  pickaxe  and  spade. 
What,  Morris,  a  tear?  Why,  shame  on  ye,  man  ! 
1  thought  you  a  hero ;  but  since  you  began 
To  whimper  and  cry  like  a  girl  in  her  teens, 
By  George !  I  do  n't  know  what  the  devil  it  means ! 
Well!  well!    I  am  rough;  'tis  a  very  rough  school, 
This  life  of  a  trooper — but  yet  I  'm  no  fool ! 
I  know  a  brave  man,  and  a  friend  from  a  foe  : 
And  boys,  that  you  love  me,  I  certainly  know. 

But  wasn't  it  grand, 

When  they  came  down  the  hill  over  sloughing  and  sand! 
But  we  stood — did  we  not-— like  immovable  rock, 
Unheeding  their  balls  and  repelling  their  shock? 


"OUR  FATHER  IN  HEAVEN."  679 

Did  you  mind  that  loud  cry, 
When,  as  turning  to  fly, 

Our  men  sprang  upon  them,  determined  to  die? 
O !  was  n't  it  grand  ? 

God  help  the  poor  wretches  who  fell  in  that  fight ! 

No  time  was  there  given  for  prayer  or  for  flight. 

They  fell  by  the  score,  in  the  crash,  hand  to  hand, 

And  they  mingled  their  blood  with  the  sloughing  and  sand. 

Huzza ! 

Great  heavens !  this  bullet-hole  gapes  like  a  grave. 
A  curse  on  the  aim  of  the  traitorous  knave ! 
Is  there  never  a  one  of  ye  knows  how  to  pray, 
Or  speak  for  a  man  as  his  life  ebbs  away? 

Pray! 

Pray! 

Our  Father!  our  Father! — Why  don't  ye  proceed! 
Can't  you  see  I  am  dying!  Great  God,  how  I  bleed! 
Ebbing  away ! 

Ebbing  away! 

The  light  of  the  day, 
Is  turning  to  gray. 
Pray! 

Pray! 

Our  Father  in  heaven — boys,  tell  me  the  rest, 

While  I  staunch  the  hot  blood  from  this  hole  in  my  breast. 

There's  something  about  a  forgiveness  of  sin. 

Put  that  in  !  put  that  in  ! — and  then 

I'll  follow  your  words  and  say  an  Amen. 

Here,  Morris,  old  fellow,  get  hold  of  my  hand ; 

And  Wilson,  my  comrade — O !  was  n't  it  grand, 

When   they  came  down  the  hill  like  a   thunder-charged 

cloud, 

And  were  scattered  like  mist,  by  our  brave  little  crowd ! 
Where's   Wilson — my    comrade — here,  stoop    down    your 

head, 
Can  i  you  say  :i  short  prayer  for  the  dying  and  dead  ? 

"  Christ  God,  who  died  for  sinners  all, 

Hear  thou  this  suppliant  wanderer's  cry 


680  CHAPLAIN  I.  N.  JA Q  UESS. 

Let  not  e'en  this  poor  sparrow  fall 

Unheeded  by  thy  gracious  eye. 
Throw  wide  thy  gates  to  let  him  in, 

And  take  him,  pleading,  to  thine  arms; 
Forgive,  O  Lord,  his  life-long  sin,  "• 

And  quiet  all  his  fierce  alarms." 

God  bless  you,  my  comrade,  for  singing  that  hymn ! 
It  is  light  to  my  path,  when  my  sight  has  grown  dim. 
I  am  dying — bend  down,  till  I  touch  you,  once  more- 
Do  n't  forget  me,  old  fellow — God  prosper  this  war  ! 
Confusion  to  enemies! — keep  hold  of  my  hand — 
And  float  our  dear  flag  o'er  a  prosperous  land ! 

It  is  fitting  that  the  chaplain  should  be  allowed  to 
have  the  last  word.  We  accordingly  give  below  the  sub- 
stance of  a  paper  transmitted  by  him  under  date  of 
November  13,  1889.  It  is  proper  to  say  that  the  Rev. 
I.  N.  Jaquess  is  now  seventy-eight  years  old.  He  ren- 
dered service  in  the  Black  Hawk  War.  The  venerable 
chaplain's  paper  reads  : 

"  Early  in  the  year  1864,  I  was  appointed  chaplain  of  the  73d 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  It  did  not  take  me  long  to 
discover  that  the  office  was  one  of  the  most  difficult  to  fill  of  any 
connected  with  the  army  service.  While  the  chaplain  was  a  com- 
missjoned  officer,  he  had  no  control,  no  arbitrary  control  over  the 
men.  The  chaplain  might  appoint  a  time  for  religious  services, 
but  by  the  time,  or  perhaps  before  the  hour  appointed  arrived,  the 
men  might  be  ordered  out  on  picket,  forage,  or  some  other  duty, 
and  the  well-meant  efforts  of  the  chaplain  be  thus  frustrated. 

"  We  regret  to  state  that  there  were  some  officers  in  the  army 
who  did  not  want  chaplains  or  their  services.  The  presence  of  a 
good  and  faithful  chaplain  was  a  standing  reproof  of  their  wicked 
conduct ;  and  the  sooner  they  could  discourage  and  dishearten  the 
chaplain,  the  better  they  were  pleased.  On  the  other  hand,  some 
chaplains  had  an  idea  that,  in  order  to  be  successful,  they  must 
be  popular  with  the  officers  and  men.  In  attempting  to  be  popu- 
lar, they  too  frequently  let  down  the  standard  of  morals  and  re- 
ligion so  low  as  to  breed  contempt.  While  these  and  other  things 


THE  BENEDICTION.  681 

that  might  be  mentioned  were  serious  hindrances  in  the  way  of  the 
success  of  many  chaplains,  I  want  it  distinctly  understood  there 
was  no  difficulty  of  this  kind  with  the  73d.  On  the  contrary,  the 
officers  in  command  always  consulted  the  chaplain,  and  accommo- 
dated him  in  his  work. 

"It  soon  became  apparent  to  me  that  some  religious  organiza- 
tion was  necessary.  To  meet  this  want,  we  organized  a  Regimental 
Church,  with  broad  and  liberal  provisions,  such  as  all  who  truly 
desired  to  be  religious  could  subscribe  to.  This  happily  served  as 
a  bond  to  hold  together  a  faithful  band,  amidst  the  terrible 
shock  of  war.  I  want  to  say  here,  in  this  connection,  that  when 
the  men  of  the  73d  were  situated  so  that  I  could  visit  them  in  theii 
tents  or  huts,  in  order  to  converse  or  pray  with  them,  they  always 
treated  me  kindly,  and  the  invitation  was,  'Come  again,  come 
again. ' 

"  I  feel  that  I  can  not  close  this  paper  without  relating  one  inci- 
dent connected  with  the  history  of  the  regiment  before  I  was  ap- 
pointed chaplain.  Just  before  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  the 
little  band  that  was  trying  to  follow  the  Savior  met  out  on  the 
border  of  the  camp  for  religious  worship.  After  having  sung  and 
prayed  once  around,  an  opportunity  was  given  to  speak.  A 
young  man  by  the  name  of  Joe,  of  Company  K,  arose  and  said : 
'  The  probabilities  are,  we  are  on  the  eve  of  a  terrible  battle,  and 
if  I  fall  in  death,  I  am  ready. '  Next  day  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga came  on;  Joe  fell,  mortally  wounded;  our  troops  fell  back, 
and  were  cooped  up  in  Chattanooga,  almost  starved,  for  eight  days ; 
at  the  end  of  which  time,  ambulances  and  a  detail  of  men  went 
back  to  the  battle-ground  to  look  after  the  wounded  and  bury  the 
dead.  Joe  was  found  shot  almost  to  pieces,,  but  still  living.  He 
had  lived  by  dragging  himself  around  to  the  haversacks  of  the 
dead,  who  had  fallen  on  the  field  of  battle..  His  comrades  asked: 
'Joe,  how  did  you  stand  it  all  this  time?'  He  answered:  'It  is 
true  I  have  suffered  greatly,  but  Jesus  was  with  me  and  made  me 
happy. '  In  a  very  few  days  afterward  the  spirit  of  Joe  took  its 
flight,  and  his  body  was  buried  near  one  of  the  churches  in  Chat- 
tanooga. 

" '  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  !' 

"  May  these  words  apply  in  the  case  of  each  old  soldier  when 
called  to  his  final  account!  is  my  prayer." 


682  ADDENDA. 


ADDENDA. 


THE  revised  Report  of  the  Adjutant-General  of 
nois  shows,  in  the  roster  of  Company  F,  the  name 
"  George  Duaney,"  and  in  roster  of .  Company  I,  the 
name  "  Edward  G.  Turner."  These  names  should  read 
George  Dudney  and  Edward  S.  Turner. 

The  post-office  address  of  W.  H.  Dodge,  Company 
G,  owing  to  recent  removal,  is  Vermontville,  Eaton 
County,  Michigan. 

The  post-office  address  of  Wm.  A.  Presson  is  Breck- 
inridge,  Missouri. 


